November 17: What Happened on This Day in History

17November

November 17th marks the 321st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 322nd in case of leap years). There are 44 days remaining until the end of the year.

Discover what happened on November 17th in history, famous birthdays on November 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to November 17.

history

What happened on November 17?

Here's what happened on November 17th in history:


  • 2020: In a significant military engagement, the Taliban launched an attack in the Jurm District of Badakhshan Province, killing at least 12 police officers and injuring 10 others. Simultaneously, the Pentagon announced a partial withdrawal of 2,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan, scheduled to be completed by mid-January, signaling a potential shift in U.S. military strategy in the region.
  • 2019: The first scientifically documented case of COVID-19 was identified in a 55-year-old male patient who had visited the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This patient would later be recognized as a critical early indicator of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that would dramatically reshape global health and society in the following months.
  • 2011: Intense gunfire and explosions were reported in Damascus, the Syrian capital, marking a significant escalation of the 2011 Syrian uprising against the Assad regime.
  • 2010: CERN researchers successfully trapped 38 antihydrogen atoms for approximately one-sixth of a second, marking a groundbreaking milestone in scientific research. This achievement represents the first time humans have managed to capture and hold antimatter, potentially opening new avenues for understanding the fundamental properties of matter and the universe.
  • 2007: Two Canadian NATO soldiers and an interpreter were killed during operations in Afghanistan's War on Terrorism, with three additional soldiers wounded. This event highlighted the ongoing human cost of the international military intervention.
  • 2001: Michael Karoli, a pioneering German guitarist and founding member of the influential experimental rock band Can, passed away. Known for his innovative and avant-garde musical style, Karoli was a key figure in the development of the Krautrock genre during the 1960s and 1970s.
  • 1998: On November 17, 1998, Kenneth Allen McDuff, a notorious Texas serial killer, was a subject of criminal investigation. McDuff was known for his brutal murders and was considered one of the most dangerous criminals in Texas during the late 20th century.
  • 1996: The play 'Present Laughter', a comedic work by Noël Coward, opens at the Walter Kerr Theater in New York City, marking an important moment in theatrical performance for the year.
  • 1993: "Grand Night For Singing" opened at the Criterion Theater in New York City, beginning a 52-performance run.
  • 1973: At a meeting with 400 Associated Press managing editors in Orlando, Florida, U.S. President Richard Nixon emphatically declared, "I am not a crook," in response to mounting allegations surrounding the Watergate scandal. This infamous statement became a defining moment in American political history, highlighting the growing political tension and erosion of public trust.
Discover all events on November 17 in history
birthday

What famous birthdays are on November 17?

On November 17th there are the following famous birthdays:


  • Rachel McAdams
    Rachel McAdams (1978)

    Rachel McAdams is a renowned Canadian actress known for her versatile roles in popular films like Mean Girls, The Notebook, and Spotlight,...

  • Peter Cook
    Peter Cook (1937)

    Legendary British comedian and satirist who revolutionized comedy in the 1960s.

  • Sophie Marceau
    Sophie Marceau (1966)

    Renowned French actress who gained international recognition through her role in 'Braveheart' and numerous critically acclaimed French...

  • Martin Scorsese
    Martin Scorsese (1942)

    Legendary American film director known for his profound exploration of complex human themes through cinema.

  • Jeff Buckley
    Jeff Buckley (1966)

    Legendary musician known for his extraordinary vocal range and iconic cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'.

  • Lauren Hutton
    Lauren Hutton (1943)

    Iconic American model and actress who revolutionized fashion in the 1960s and 1970s, breaking traditional beauty standards with her...

  • Rock Hudson
    Rock Hudson (1925)

    Rock Hudson was a legendary Hollywood actor and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s, known for romantic comedies and dramatic roles.

  • Tom Ellis
    Tom Ellis (1978)

    Tom Ellis is a charismatic British actor best known for his iconic role as Lucifer Morningstar in the popular TV series Lucifer, which...

  • Jonathan Ross
    Jonathan Ross (1960)

    Jonathan Ross is a prominent British television presenter, known for his witty and charismatic hosting of talk shows, entertainment...

  • Gemini Ganesan
    Gemini Ganesan (1920)

    Prominent Indian actor and director who was a significant figure in South Indian cinema, particularly in Tamil films during the mid-20th...

  • More celebrities born on November 17

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RIP

Who died on November 17?

On November 17th the following celebrities died:


  • Gladys Cooper
    Gladys Cooper (1971)

    Gladys Cooper was an English actress who had a successful career on stage and screen, earning multiple awards.

  • Esther Rolle
    Esther Rolle (1998)

    Prominent African American actress known for her groundbreaking roles in television, particularly in the sitcom 'Good Times' where she...

  • Clive Brook
    Clive Brook (1974)

    Actor/director (on approval), dead at 87.

  • Arthur Conley
    Arthur Conley (2003)

    American soul singer known for his hit 'Sweet Soul Music', a significant figure in the 1960s R&B scene.

  • Ruth Donnelly
    Ruth Donnelly (1982)

    Comedian, who dies in new york city at the age of 86.

  • Naunton Wayne
    Naunton Wayne (1970)

    Actor (dead of night), dies in 69.

  • Ernestine Schumann-Heink
    Ernestine Schumann-Heink (1936)

    Austrian opera singer who sang in oratorios, concerts, and in vaudeville.

  • Ferenc Puskás (2006)

    Ferenc Puskás was a legendary Hungarian footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, known for his extraordinary...

  • Audre Lorde (1992)

    Renowned African American poet, feminist, and civil rights activist who powerfully addressed issues of race, gender, sexuality, and class...

  • Heitor Villa-Lobos (1959)

    Heitor Villa-Lobos was a Brazilian composer, described as the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music.

  • More famous people died on November 17

calendar

What day of the year is November 17?


November 17th marks the 321st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 322nd in case of leap years).

There are 44 days remaining until the end of the year.

November 17th is the 17th day of the month of November.

What day of the week is November 17?

On November 17th, 2025 the day of the week is Monday.

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Holidays and Observances on November 17

zodiac

What zodiac sign is associated with the day November 17?