October 17 - This day in History

October 17 : General Interest
1931: Capone goes to prison

On this day in 1931, gangster Al Capone is sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion and fined $80,000, signaling the downfall of one of the most notorious criminals of the 1920s and 1930s... read more


American Revolution
1777 : Americans win more than a battle at Saratoga
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/americans-win-more-than-a-battle-at-saratoga


Automotive
1973 : OPEC states declare oil embargo
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/opec-states-declare-oil-embargo


Civil War
1864 : The Confederate's James Longstreet returns to command
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/longstreet-returns-to-command


Cold War
1986 : U.S. aid to Contras signed into law
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-aid-to-contras-signed-into-law


Crime
1906 : A shoemaker leads German soldiers in a robbery
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-shoemaker-leads-german-soldiers-in-a-robbery


Disaster
1989 : Loma Prieta earthquake strikes near San Francisco
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/loma-prieta-earthquake-strikes-near-san-francisco


General Interest
1777 : Patriot victory at Saratoga
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patriot-victory-at-saratoga

1961 : Algerians massacred in Paris
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/algerians-massacred-in-paris

1973 : OPEC enacts oil embargo
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/opec-enacts-oil-embargo


Hollywood
1974 : Benji debuts
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/benji-debuts


Literary
1903 : Nathanael West is born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nathanael-west-is-born


Music
1960 : R&B legends the Drifters earn a #1 pop hit with "Save the Last Dance For Me"
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rb-legends-the-drifters-earn-a-1-pop-hit-with-quotsave-the-last-dance-for-mequot


Old West
1835 : The first resolution formally creating the Texas Rangers is approved
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-first-resolution-formally-creating-the-texas-rangers-is-approved


Presidential
1974 : Ford explains his pardon of Nixon to Congress
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ford-explains-his-pardon-of-nixon-to-congress


Sports
1968 : Olympic protestors stripped of their medals
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/olympic-protestors-stripped-of-their-medals


Vietnam War
1966 : President Johnson goes to Asia
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-johnson-goes-to-asia


World War I
1912 : Serbia and Greece declare war on Ottoman Empire in First Balkan War
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/serbia-and-greece-declare-war-on-ottoman-empire-in-first-balkan-war


World War II
1941 : Konoye government falls
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/konoye-government-falls