April 17: Pivotal Moments in History
Historic Event on April 17: Signing of the Treaty of Versailles concluding World War I 1919
Adapting the vibe and making it spicy, here's a scorching take on some of history's badass events that went down on April 17.
April 17, 1492: Columbus Takes a Leap of Faith
In the name of exploration and delving deep into the unknown, Christopher Columbus, with the backing of the Catholic monarchs of Spain, signed the Capitulations of Santa Fé. This deal outlined the terms for Columbus's sailing voyage in pursuit of a new western route to the East Indies. Will this crazy boat ride to nowhere finally prove that the world isn't flat? We'll see.
April 17, 1521: Martin Luther Sounds Off in Worms
The Spring of 1521 was creating a storm in Europe. Martin Luther, a former monk with a knack for stirring things up, published his Ninety-five Theses. This daring move took shots at the Roman Catholic church. On April 17, Luther stepped into the lion's den, and, in front of the emperor, electors, and princes at Worms, he faced his accusers. Resilient and uncompromising, Luther refused to retract his views, leading to his eventual declaration as a heretic by Charles V. The chasm in Christendom had officially opened, and the stage was set for the Reformation.
Pro-tip: Delve Deeper
Want to know more about Luther's brazen act? Find out more about what led this monk to challenge the Church and the critical role the Diet of Worms played in shaping the course of the Reformation.
April 17, 1790: The Frinklinator Strikes Another
American founding father Benjamin Franklin, known for his curiosity and intellect, met his end in Philadelphia at the ripe age of 84. Over 20,000 people attended Franklin's burial at Christ Church burial ground. Fancy that, incontinent purchasable forgiveness for your sins!
April 17, 1808: Napoleon's Confiscation Escalates
Feeling like it was time to throw a monkey wrench into the game, Napoleon issued the Bayonne Decree. This decree ordered the seizure of all American vessels in European harbors, leading to the confiscation of ten million dollars' worth of ships and goods. The war of economic barbs between the U.S. and Napoleon was heating up, and things are about to get dicey.
April 17, 1923: A Brit Gives Hollywood a Sneer
Lindsay Anderson, a British film director, joined the ranks of entertainers with his birth in Bangalore, India. You might remember him for his film "If," a snarky portrayal of English public school life. The film even won the Palme d'Or at the 1969 Cannes film festival. Nice one, mate.
April 17, 1937: Daffy Duck Lands on the Silver Screen
After years of being in hiding, Daffy Duck made his debut in Porky's Duck Hunt. We can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing Looney Tunes kept churning out crazy characters.
April 17, 1961: Castro Rises from the Ashes - kind of
The CIA believed the people of Cuba were ready to rise against Fidel Castro, so they launched a ill-conceived attack on the Bay of Pigs. Turns out, the operation was a colossal failure. Rumors of the invasion had spread, the Cuban militia showed up in force, and even though the U.S. had promised support, nada. Castro stayed in power for another 47 years. Guessing the U.S. didn't appreciate that one.
April 17, 1969: Bernadette Devlin Makes History
At just 21, Bernadette Devlin became Britain's youngest ever female Member of Parliament. She secured a 4,000-vote majority over her opponent, Anna Forrest, and put Ireland's issues on the national agenda. Talk about shaking things up for the old fogeys.
World history resonates with pivotal moments of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news. For instance, on April 17, 1492, Christopher Columbus embarked on a historic voyage that unknowingly challenged the dominant belief about the world's shape, and on April 17, 1961, the botched Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba posed a significant political challenge for the United States.
