Today in History for 17th April 2025
Historical Events
1492 – Christopher Columbus signs a contract with the Spanish monarchs to find the “Indies” with the stated goal of converting people to Catholicism. This promises him 10% of all riches found, and the governorship of any lands encountered.
1684 – Dutch East India Company signs treaty with Sultan Hadji of Banten (Java) to aid him in a civil war with his father in exchange for sole right to trade in the Sultanate
1977 – Christian-democrats win Belgium parliamentary election
1983 – Grete Waltz runs female world record marathon (2:25:29)
2017 – 121st Boston Marathon: Kenyan double; Geoffrey Kirui takes men’s title in 2:09:37; Edna Kiplagat women’s champion in 2:21:52
Famous Birthdays
1622 – Henry Vaughan, English poet (Silex Scintillans), born in Newton St. Bridget, Brecknockshire, Wales (d. 1695)
1845 – Isabel Barrows, American editor and penologist (Conference on Negro Question), born in Irasburg, Vermont (d. 1913)
1947 – Linda Martin, Irish singer and TV presenter, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
1961 – Norman Cowans, Jamaican cricketer (England fast bowler in 19 Tests 1982-85), born in St. Mary, Jamaica
1971 – David Oliver, Canadian NHL right wing (Edmonton Oilers), born in Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada
Famous Deaths
858 – Benedict III, Italian Pope (855-58), dies
1713 – David Hollatz, Pomeranian dogmatician (b. 1648)
1948 – Johan Paul van Limburg Stirum, Dutch diplomat (Governor General of the Dutch East Indies 1916-21), dies at 75
1987 – Cecil Harmsworth King, Irish-British owner of Mirror Group Newspapers, dies at 86
2003 – Robert Atkins, American cardiologist, known for the Atkins diet, dies at 72
