Today in History for 17th January 2024

[CoM Moderators]

Historical Events

1893 - Franco-Russian Alliance is signed
1971 - At a party conference in Dublin, Sinn Féin end their 65 year abstentionist policy and agree that any elected representative could take their seat at the Dáil
1973 - New Philippine constitution names Marcos president for life
1983 - 10th American Music Awards: John Cougar, Rick Springfield, and Olivia Newton-John win
1986 - 2nd Sundance Film Festival: "Smooth Talk" wins Grand Jury Prize Dramatic
1995 - Australia beat Australia A 2-0 to win cricket's World Series Cup

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Famous Birthdays

1867 - Carl Laemmle, German-born film executive (d. 1939)
1927 - Eartha Kitt, American singer (Santa Baby), dancer, activist, and actress (Batman - "Catwoman"), born in North, South Carolina (d. 2008)
1934 - Sydney Hodkinson, Canadian-American classical composer and educator (Eastman School, 1973-99), born in Winnipeg, Manitoba (d. 2021)
1954 - Susan Kiefel, Australian lawyer and judge, born in Cairns, Australia
1959 - Susanna Hoffs, American actress and musician (Bangles-Walk Like an Egyptian), born in Los Angeles, California
1982 - Alex Varkatzas, American heavy metal singer (Atreyu), born in Orange County, California

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Famous Deaths

1661 - Andres Malong, Philippines rebel leader, executed
1933 - John Hodges, Australian cricket fast bowler (2 Tests [first 2 played], 6 wickets; Victoria), dies at 77
1996 - Giles Playfair, English writer, dies at 85
2008 - Rod Allen [Bainbridge] British pop-rock singer and bassist (Fortunes - "You've Got Your Troubles"; "Here It Comes Again"), dies of cancer at 63
2010 - Jyoti Basu, Indian Communist politician, dies at 95
2016 - Dale "Buffin" Griffin, English rock drummer (Mott The Hoople - "All Young Dudes"), and producer (BBC's John Peel sessions), dies from complications of Alzheimer's disease at 67

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