December 17

Today in History
• 546 - Gothic War (535-554): The Ostrogoths of King Totila conquer Rome
• 1777 - France recognizes independence of British colonies in America
• 1790 - Aztec calendar stone discovered in Mexico City
• 1791 - NYC traffic regulation creates 1st 1-way street
• 1798 - 1st impeachment trial against a US senator (William Blount, Tennessee) begins
• 1852 - 1st Hawaiian cavalry organized
• 1895 - George Brownell patents a machine to make paper twine (Mass)
• 1900 - New Ellis Island Immigration station completed costing $1.5 million


Holidays - Traditional and Obscure
• Bhutan National Day
• Canadian Maple Syrup Day
• Festival of Winter Walks
• National Device Appreciation Day
• National Maple Syrup Day
• National Wreaths Across America Day
• Wright Brother's Day
• Saturnalia

Birthdays
• 1267 - Emperor Go-Uda, 91st Emperor of Japan
• 1734 - Maria I of Portugal, Queen of Portugal and the Algarves
• 1734 - William Floyd, American soldier who signed the US Declaration of Independence
• 1797 - Joseph Henry, American scientist and pioneer of electromagnetism
• 1801 - Johan NMJ, king of Saxon, 1854-73, translated Divina Commedia
• 1853 - Émile Roux, physician, bacteriologist, Immunologist, developed the 1st diphtheria vaccine
• 1874 - Mackenzie King, 10th Prime Minister of Canada
• 1894 - Willem Schermerhorn, Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1945-46)