Mar
April 2025
May
On This Day 5 mins Read

April 17: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Did you know that on this day, April 17, 2011, Game of Thrones was aired for the first time on HBO?

Fact Checked Human Written Verified Sources Regularly Updated

April 17th is officially Blah Blah Blah Day and Haiku Day.

We are now on day 107 out of 365, and have 258 days left in 2025.

Conspiracy, slavery, exiles, and assassinations… are you intrigued yet? Well, you should be as you’re about to dig up the details right here as we discover what events happened on this day in history.

Did you know that on this day, April 17, 2011, Game of Thrones was aired for the first time on HBO? This was also lead actor Sean Bean’s birthday.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about April 17th in history!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on April 17 in history? Keep reading to find out!

A US National Reconnaissance Office mission launched on a reused SpaceX booster for the first time.

The mission, NROL-85, is unfortunately highly classified. However, we know that it launched a national security payload into orbit. NROL-85 used the same SpaceX Falcon 9 booster that was previously used two months earlier in NROL-87.

Johns Hopkins University announced that the number of people who died worldwide due to the Covid-19 pandemic had reached three million.

Using gene therapy, eight babies suffering from “bubble boy disease” were cured in Memphis, Tennessee.

OTD in 2019: Using gene therapy

Bubble Boy Disease is when a child has such a weak immune system that common, everyday bacteria and other microbes become deadly to them. So in order for them to survive, they must spend their entire lives in a bubble.

Game of Thrones premiered on HBO.

The movie “Thor” premiered in cinemas in Sydney, Australia.

It was released in the United States on May 6 and earned $449.3 million worldwide.

Jazz composer and musician John Coltrane received the Special Citation Pulitzer Prize after his death.

FedEx officially began its operations and flew 186 packages to 25 cities on the US’s East Coast.

OTD in 1973: FedEx officially began its operations and flew 186 packages to 25 cities on the US's East Coast.

Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of killing US Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

The Palestinian immigrant was sentenced to death by gas chamber.

1,400 Cuban exiles failed to overthrow Fidel Castro after landing in the Bay of Pigs on the south coast of Cuba.

The United Kingdom officially created its first National Park, the Peak District National Park.

OTD in 1951: The United Kingdom officially created its first National Park

Slavery in Ethiopia came to an end thanks to Emperor Haile Selassie.

Seven Irish prisoners broke out of the Western Australian Colony’s Fremantle Prison and fled to the US.

American boarding house owner Mary Surratt was arrested for taking part in President Lincoln’s assassination.

Surratt was later hanged for her crime, becoming the first woman to be executed by the US government.

Explorer Christopher Columbus was given funding for his first journey.

OTD in 1492: Explorer Christopher Columbus was given funding for his first journey.

He signed the contract in Santa Fe near Granada, Spain, and set sail to find the Indies on August 3.

Famous Births

If you were born on this day, did you know that you share the same birthday with Sean Bean? See who else was born on April 17th below!

1972

Jennifer Garner

American Actress

Age

53 years old

Born IN

Texas, USA

1959

Sean Bean

English Actor

Age

66 years old

Born IN

England, UK

1950

L. Scott Caldwell

American Actress

Age

75 years old

Born IN

Illinois, USA

1967

Henry Ian Cusick

Peruvian-Scottish Actor

Age

58 years old

Born IN

Trujillo, Peru

Birthday & Zodiac

Those of you who were born on April 17 share the Aries star sign.

Aries is the first sign in the zodiac and marks the beginning of something energetic and turbulent. Arians continuously look for competition and like to be first for everything.

Anyone born in April has the Diamond birthstone. Diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas,” which means “invincible” or “unbreakable.” Before engaging in battle, warriors wore diamonds to give them strength, courage, and “invincible” protection.

The daisy, April’s primary birth flower, symbolizes innocence and joy. The sweet pea, the secondary birth flower, represents gentle pleasure and the sadness of goodbye.

People born on April 17 were likely conceived on or around July 25 in the previous year.

A baby that is conceived on this day will likely be due around January 8th, 2026.

Famous Deaths

Unfortunately, April 17th has also been a day where we've had to say some goodbyes over the years…

1706 — 1790

Benjamin Franklin

American Polymath Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706. He died on this day in 1790, at age 84 in Pennsylvania, USA.

1927 — 2014

Gabriel García Márquez

Colombian Novelist Gabriel García Márquez was born on March 6, 1927. He died on this day in 2014, at age 87 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Quotes

Of all of the quotes said on this day, these are the most well-known ones spoken on Apr 17 throughout history.

1787

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

Benjamin Franklin

(American Polymath)

Special Holidays

Are you looking for something to do today? Then why not find time today to celebrate the following special holidays.

United States

Blah Blah Blah Day

How often have you caught yourself ignoring someone who is constantly talking to you about something boring? Today is Blah Blah Blah Day, so make an effort to actively listen to those chatting your head off and pretend to be interested.

World

International Haiku Poetry Day

Haikus are a beautiful poetic art form from Japan, which have three lines with 5, 7, and 5 syllables, respectively, and a seasonal reference in the last line. Haiku Poetry Day is a great day to learn more about this artform, memorize some moving haikus or even try and write one by yourself.

Fact Of The Day

Days Until

Your countdown to 2025's upcoming special days!

  • Earth Day

    5 days

  • Cinco de Mayo

    18 days

  • Juneteenth

    63 days

  • Independence Day

    78 days

  • Halloween

    197 days

  • Christmas Day

    252 days

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About The Author

Luke Ward
Owner

Luke Ward is the owner of FactstoryHub. He has over 14 years of experience in researching, informative writing, fact-checking, SEO & web design. In his spare time, he loves to explore the world, drink coffee & attend trivia nights.

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