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38 fun facts for April, 17

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
April 17th has been marked by numerous important events, including the approval of Christopher Columbus's journey, the introduction of the Ford Mustang, and the celebration of World Hemophilia Day. On this day, one can honor historic moments and appreciate diverse observances, both nationally and internationally.
38 Fun facts
  1. On April 17, 1492, Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella approved Christopher Columbus's plan to sail west to reach the Indies. This support led to Columbus's famous journey, ultimately resulting in the discovery of the Americas.
  2. In 1521, Martin Luther, the German theologian and influential figure in the Protestant Reformation, was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo X.
  3. April 17, 1790, marks the death of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was an inventor, scientist, writer, and diplomat, and his contributions to American culture are still celebrated today.
  4. The first successful blood transfusion took place on April 17, 1667, when French physician Jean-Baptiste Denis successfully transfused the blood of a lamb into a 15-year-old boy.
  5. On this day in 1961, the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba failed. U.S.-trained Cuban exiles invaded the island to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government, but the operation was not successful.
  6. April 17, 1970, marked the safe return of the Apollo 13 astronauts to Earth. Although their mission was to land on the moon, an oxygen tank explosion in the service module forced them to abort the mission and return home.
  7. The Ford Mustang, an iconic American car, was officially unveiled on April 17, 1964, at the New York World's Fair.
  8. April 17 is World Hemophilia Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.
  9. On April 17, 1969, Czechoslovakian Communist Party leader Alexander Dubček was dismissed from his position due to his reforms which promoted greater freedom and democracy in Czechoslovakia.
  10. In 1905, Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev was born on this date. Prokofiev is best known for his masterpieces such as "Peter and the Wolf" and "Romeo and Juliet."
  11. On April 17, 1964, Jerrie Mock became the first woman to complete a solo flight around the world.
  12. Game designer Gunpei Yokoi, the creator of the Nintendo Game Boy, was born on this day in 1941.
  13. April 17 is National Cheeseball Day in the United States, a day celebrating the popular cheese-based snack.
  14. The British Parliament passed the Tea Act on April 17, 1773, leading to the infamous Boston Tea Party later that year.
  15. On this day in 1987, the last episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” aired, concluding a successful era of the sci-fi television series.
  16. April 17 marks National Haiku Poetry Day, a day to celebrate and create Haiku poems.
  17. On April 17, 1975, Phnom Penh, Cambodia fell to the Khmer Rouge, a brutal Communist regime that would leave millions dead.
  18. On this day in 1824, the British Parliament unanimously passed a law to abolish flogging in the British Navy.
  19. On April 17, 2004, Slovakia joined NATO, becoming the alliance's 29th member.
  20. On this day in 1880, the first electric streetlights were installed in Wabash, Indiana, making it the first electrically lit city.
  21. In 1907, the Ellis Island immigration center in New York City processed a record of 11,747 immigrants.
  22. The Titanic survivors arrived in New York City on April 17, 1912.
  23. On this day in 1861, the Virginia State Convention voted to secede from the United States, an early step towards the American Civil War.
  24. April 17 marks National Bat Appreciation Day, a day to celebrate the importance and uniqueness of bats in various ecosystems.
  25. On this day in 1969, Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of murdering Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
  26. In 1969, the voting age in the United Kingdom was lowered from 21 to 18.
  27. The Boston Marathon was first held on April 17, 1897, making it the world's oldest annual marathon.
  28. On April 17, 1941, Yugoslavia officially surrendered to Nazi Germany during World War II.
  29. April 17, 1957, marked the first scheduled helicopter airline service, which operated between JFK Airport in New York City and Manhattan.
  30. On this date in 2003, the Zambian government officially declared a disaster as the nation's food crisis deepened with more than 2.5 million people on the brink of starvation.
  31. On April 17, 1991, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 3,000 for the first time.
  32. On this day in 1966, the Rolling Stones released the album "Aftermath" featuring hits like "Paint it, Black" and "Lady Jane."
  33. April 17 is National Kickball Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the popular schoolyard game.
  34. On this day in 1954, the largest check ever written, at over $39 million, was sent by the U.S. government to purchase the Panama Canal Zone from Panama.
  35. The Universal Exposition of 1867, a world fair held in Paris, was inaugurated by French emperor Napoleon III on April 17th.
  36. In 1967, NASA astronaut Roger Bruce Chaffee was posthumously awarded the U.S. Congressional Space Medal of Honor, following his death in the Apollo 1 accident.
  37. The first ever student radio station, WTBS, began broadcasting at Tufts University on April 17, 1957.
  38. April 17th marks National Record Store Day, a celebration of independent music and vinyl record stores worldwide.

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