January 17: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

The underwater search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 ended.

The plane fell off the radar on March 8, 2014, and was never found despite professionals searching 46,332 square miles for the wreckage. On this day, the passengers' families were informed that the effort to find the plane had been suspended.

The Doomsday Clock’s minute hand was moved two minutes closer to midnight, making the new Doomsday just five minutes to midnight.

The change was made after North Korea performed its first nuclear test.

For the first time in history, all 50 states of America celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.

An incredibly cold air swept into the US from Canada and plunged temperatures across most States far below their existing all-time lows.

This event was, and will forever be known as Cold Sunday.

Legendary band Blondie released their debut single “X-Offender.”

X-Offender was written by Debbie Harry and Gary Valentine.

The Chevrolet Corvette sports car was presented for the first time at GM Motorama Auto Show in New York.

Auschwitz concentration camp evacuated 56,000 prisoners.

Sadly, these prisoners were marched to several other camps. Labeled "the death marches," around 9,000 to 15,000 prisoners died.

Popeye the Sailor Man made his first appearance.

The one-eyed spinach-munching sailor was first seen in King Features' Thimble Theatre comic strip and quickly became their most popular character. Since then, Popeye has been featured in cartoons, video games, a live-action film, comic books, and countless advertisements.

Russians defeated Ottoman forces during WWI.

The Battle of Sarikamish was a battle between the Russian and Ottoman empires that began on December 22, 1914. It ended on this day when Russian forces collected leftovers from the defeated Ottoman forces.

The first Duke of Wellington became Commander in Chief, making him the professional head of the British Army.

On his second voyage, explorer Captain James Cook became the first to cross the Antarctic Circle.

French King Henry IV declared war against Spain during the French Wars of Religion.

Bohemia adopted the Gregorian Calendar.

On January 6, 1584, Bohemia had to remove eleven days from the calendar to bring them to this day.