17 October in Indian and World History is celebrated, observed, and remembered for various reasons. 17 October is the birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Sarangadhar Das, Doodhnath Singh, Smita Patil, and Anil Kumble.
17 October is also observed as the death anniversary of Swami Ramatirtha.
Birth Anniversary on 17 October
17 October in Indian history is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the following personalities:
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (17 October 1817 – 27 March 1898), a Muslim teacher, jurist and author, founder of the Anglo-Mohammedan Oriental College, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. He was such a great Muslim social reformer and prophet, who tried his whole life for education. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan inspired people to acquire modern knowledge in place of traditional education, because he knew that without modern education progress is not possible. He kept silent tolerating the opposing voices of Muslims and Hindus. It is the result of this tolerance that today he is remembered as a man of the era and is respected by both Hindus and Muslims. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had always said in his speeches that ‘Hindu and Muslim are the two eyes of India’. He was born on 17 October 1817.
Sarangadhar Das (17 October 1886 – 19 September 1957), an Indian nationalist revolutionary and Orissa politician. Das fought against the feudal chiefs in Orissa (present day Odisha) and, post-independence, was a member of India’s Constituent Assembly, a Member of Parliament, and a leader of the Socialist Party. He was born 17 October 1886 in Dhenkanal princely state, British India.
Doodhnath Singh (17 October 1936 – 11 January 2018), a famous Hindi story writer, novelist, playwright and poet. Dudhnath Singh, through his stories, challenged the discrepancies arising in all the fields of family, social, economic, moral, and mental of sixties India. He was born on 17 October 1936 in Sobantha village, Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh.
Smita Patil (17 October 1955 – 13 December 1986), was an Indian film actress. She appeared in several movies including films in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Anil Kumble, one of the best cricket players of India. Anil Kumble is the first Indian spinner and second Indian player to cross the 200-wicket mark in limited overs international cricket. Also, Anil Kumble is the highest Test wicket-taker (619) for India. Kumble is known for his passion. Even with a broken jaw in 2002, Kumble bowled when needed and led India to great success in the form of Brian Lara. Kumble is also known as ‘Jumbo’. It is worth noting that apart from the captain of Team India, Kumble has also been a coach. He was born on 17 October 1970 in Bangalore, Karnataka.
Read More: 16 October in Indian and World History
Death Anniversary on 17 October
17 October in Indian history is observed as the death anniversary of the following personalities:
Swami Ramatirtha (22 October 1873 – 17 October 1906), a Hindu religious leader, noted for teaching practical Vedanta in a highly personal and poetic manner. Ramatirtha was a living idol of Vedanta. His original name was Tirath Ram. He used common experiences to describe the divine nature of man. For Ramatirtha every visible object was a reflection of God. In his short life, he attained the status of a great social reformer, a brilliant orator, an eminent writer, a brilliant ascetic and a high nationalist. Swami Ramtirtha who made his name in the whole world by his extraordinary works. He gave up his life at the age of just 32, but the many extraordinary achievements to his credit at this young age prove that living an exemplary life does not require a long life, but a high willpower. He died on 17 October 1906.
Read More: 15 October in Indian and World History
Notable events on 17 October in Indian and World History
Some of the Notable events on 17 October in World History are mentioned below:
17 October 1456 – The University of Greifswald was founded. It is the second oldest university in Northern Europe.
17 October 1806 – The former leader of the Haiti Revolution and Emperor Jacques I of Haiti was assassinated after his repressive rule.
16 October 1847 – Francisca Edwiges Neves Gonzaga (Chiquinha Gonzaga) a Brazilian composer, pianist, and conductor who left an indelible mark on the world of Brazilian music and culture.
17 October 1870 – The Port of Calcutta was brought under the management of a constitutional body.
17 October 1878 – John A. MacDonald was once again elected Prime Minister of Canada after playing the role of opposition in the government for five years.
17 October 1888 – Scientist Thomas Alva Edison applied for a patent for an optical phonograph.
17 October 1912 – Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia declared war on the Ottoman Empire.
17 October 1917 – In the First World War, Britain launched air strikes on Germany for the first time.
17 October 1933 – The famous scientist Albert Einstein moved to America from Germany.
17 October 1934 – Santiago Ramón y Cajal, a Spanish physician, died.
17 October 1938 – Les Murray, an Australian poet, anthologist, and critic, was born.
17 October 1941 – For the first time in World War II, a German submarine attacked an American ship.
17 October 1979 – Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.
17 October 2008 – the Monopolies and Restricted Trade Commission ordered an investigation into a coalition of private airlines, Kingfisher, and Jet Airways.
17 October 2009 – The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean, held the world’s first underwater cabinet meeting, and tried to warn all nations of the danger of global warming.
17 October Historical Significance
October 17th is a date marked by numerous significant historical events across various centuries. For instance, in 1346, the Battle of Neville’s Cross took place, where King David II of Scotland was captured by Edward III of England and imprisoned for eleven years. This event had a profound impact on Scottish history. In 1660, the Nine Regicides, who signed the death warrant of Charles I, were hanged, drawn, and quartered, reflecting the tumultuous period of English history following the Civil War. The sale of Dunkirk in 1662 by Charles II of England to France for 2.5 million livres also took place on this day, which had long-lasting diplomatic and military implications. Moving forward to the 18th century, the surrender of British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga during the American Revolutionary War on October 17, 1777, marked a turning point in the conflict and is often considered a pivotal moment in American history.
Moreover, the establishment of the University of Greifswald on October 17, 1456, signifies the importance of education and learning in European history as it became the second oldest university in northern continental Europe. The Bessemer steelmaking process, patented by Henry Bessemer on this day in 1855, revolutionized manufacturing and had a lasting impact on the industrial landscape. In the 20th century, the first commercial transatlantic wireless service began by Marconi on October 17, 1907, marking a significant advancement in communication technology. Each of these events, among others that occurred on October 17th, contributed to shaping the political, social, and technological fabric of their times, illustrating the day’s historical significance. These moments are not just dates in history books but are milestones that have influenced the course of human civilization in various ways. They remind us of the interconnectedness of historical events and their enduring impact on the present and future.
Important Days of 17 October in History
Some of the Notable events on 17 October in History are mentioned below:
- World Trauma Day is observed on October 17th each year to raise awareness about the increasing incidence of trauma and the importance of effective trauma care. The day emphasizes the significance of taking preventive measures to reduce the risk of traumatic injuries and the necessity of providing timely and appropriate medical care to trauma patients.
- International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: This day is observed on October 17th to promote awareness and action against poverty worldwide.
- Black Poetry Day: Celebrated in the United States on October 17th to honor past and present black poets.
- National Pasta Day: A day for pasta enthusiasts to celebrate one of the most popular dishes worldwide, observed on October 17th.
- Wear Something Gaudy Day: A lighthearted observance on October 17th where people are encouraged to wear bright and extravagant clothing.