This Day in History is DUE’s daily dose of trivia for all the history buffs out there. So sit back and take a ride of all the fascinating things that happened on 17th April!
People are trapped in history and history is trapped in people, and hence, every day has been a significant one in the foibles of history. Now, let’s take a tour of “This Day in History – 17th April”.
1790: Benjamin Franklin dies
Benjamin Franklin was an American printer and publisher, author, inventor and scientist, and diplomat. He was one of the early founding fathers of the USA. He is known for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. His most popular inventions include the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among others. He died at the age of 84 in Philadelphia.
1964: Jerrie Mock becomes 1st woman to fly solo around the world
On this day in 1964, Geraldine “Jerrie” Mock became the first woman to fly solo around the world. Although attempts had been made previously, they were unsuccessful including the ill-fated flight of Amelia Earhart in 1937. The trip took 29 days to complete, starting from March 19, 1964, in Columbus, Ohio, and ending on April 17, 1964, in Columbus, Ohio. In 1970 Mock published the story of her round-the-world flight in the book Three-Eight Charlie.
1989: World Haemophilia Day
Each year, 17th April is recognized as World Haemophilia Day to raise and spread awareness about haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other inherited bleeding disorders. The day was started by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in 1989.
2011: “Game of Thrones” premiers
Game of Thrones is an American fantasy drama television series based on fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin. Since the premiere of its first season on HBO in 2011, it has grown into one of the biggest TV shows globally. With an average of 2.22 million live viewers in season 1, the show’s season 7 finale had 15.4 million live viewers. Apart from the legal viewership, GoT was also the most consistently stolen show in the world.
2013: New Zealand legalizes same-sex marriage
On this day in 2013, New Zealand became the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize same-sex marriages. The Marriage equality bill, amending the 1955 marriage act, despite opposition from Christian lobby groups was passed with a majority of 77 votes in favour and 44 against.
