What Happened on June 17

Historical Events

1119 – Charles the Good becomes Count of Flanders
1462 – Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II (The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat from Wallachia
1535 – Trial of English Catholic Cardinal John Fischer for treason (declaring King Henry VIII not the Supreme Head of the Church in England) at Westminster Hall – found guilty and later hanged
1961 – US Open Men’s Golf, Oakland Hills CC: Gene Littler wins his sole major title, 1 stroke ahead of runners-up Bob Goalby and Doug Sanders
1976 – Indonesia annexes Portuguese East-Timor
2018 – Historic deal signed between Greece and Macedonia to end dispute over Macedonia’s name – changing to North Macedonia

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Famous Birthdays

1898 – M. C. Escher, Dutch graphic artist and lithograph carver (Praedestinatie), born in Leeuwarden, Netherlands (d. 1972)
1915 – Stringbean [David Akeman], American banjoist and comedian (Hee Haw), born in Annville, Kentucky (d. 1973)
1930 – Romuald Twardowski, Polish composer, born in Wilno/ Vilnius, Poland
1945 – Tony Roche, Australian tennis player and coach (French Open 1966; 15 x Grand Slam doubles titles; Australian Davis Cup captain), born in Wagga Wagga, NSW
1956 – Nick Cook, English cricketer (left arm slow bowler in 15 Tests 1983-89), born in Leicester
1958 – Bobby Farrelly, American film director (Dumb and Dumber), born in Cumberland, Rhode Island

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Famous Deaths

1672 – Orazio Benevoli, Franco-Italian composer, dies at 67
1815 – Rais Hamidou [Amidon], Algerian corsair (captured 400 ships during his career), dies in a battle with USS Guerriere (b. c. 1770)
1871 – Clement Vallandigham, American politician (Rep-D-Ohio, convicted of opposing civil war, exiled to Confederate States), dies after accidentally shooting himself at 50
1906 – Harry Nelson Pillsbury, American chess player, dies at 33
1970 – Matthew Henderson, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (1 Test; New Zealand’s first-ever Test match 1930), dies at 74
2015 – John David Crow, American College Football Hall of Fame back and tight end (Heisman Trophy 1957, Texas A and M; Pro Bowl 1959, 60, 62, 65; St. Louis Cardinals), dies at 79

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