What Happened on October 17?

October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty — a United Nations call for dignity and opportunity — on the same date Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga in 1777, Kepler tracked a supernova in 1604, and Marconi opened commercial transatlantic wireless in 1907.

• 1604 — Kepler's Supernova blazes in the night sky

  On October 17, 1604, astronomers including Johannes Kepler noticed a brilliant new star — later called Kepler's Supernova — in the constellation Ophiuchus. Read the full story →

• 1777 — British General Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga

  On October 17, 1777, British General John Burgoyne surrendered nearly 6,000 troops to American forces at Saratoga, New York — a turning point of the Revolutionary War. Read the full story →

• 1860 — The first Open Championship golf tournament begins at Prestwick

  On October 17, 1860, eight professionals teed off at Prestwick, Scotland, in the first Open Championship — now golf's oldest major. Read the full story →

• 1907 — Marconi opens commercial transatlantic wireless service

  On October 17, 1907, Guglielmo Marconi began limited commercial wireless telegraph service between Nova Scotia and Ireland — linking continents without undersea cables. Read the full story →

• 1933 — Albert Einstein arrives in the United States as a refugee from Nazi Germany

  On October 17, 1933, Albert Einstein arrived in the United States after fleeing Nazi persecution — soon joining the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Rita Hayworth (1918–1987) · Arthur Miller (1915–2005) · Evel Knievel (1938–2007) · Eminem (1972)

Days & observances

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty · National Pasta Day · Black Poetry Day · National Mulligan Day