"What happened on January 17?"
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January 17 is best remembered for the start of U.S. Prohibition in 1920, alongside other landmark events such as Operation Desert Storm, the Northridge earthquake, and the end of the Sierra Leone civil war.
AI Consensus
Models Agreed
- Prohibition began in the United States on January 17 1920, enforced by the Volstead Act5.
- The Northridge earthquake struck Los Angeles on January 17 1994, killing 543.
- Operation Desert Storm was launched on January 17 19918.
- Captain Cook’s Resolution crossed the Antarctic Circle on January 17 17739.
- The Sierra Leone civil war was declared over on January 17 20021.
Points of Debate
- Some models listed the Sierra Leone war ending in 1992 or 1999, while the verified source confirms 20021.
- A few responses gave the year of Captain Cook’s Antarctic crossing as 1873 instead of the correct 17739.
- The date for the Dudingston Curling Society varied between 1795 and 1600; the reliable source records 17959.
Today in History, January 17
What Happened on January 17?
January 17 has been the date of many notable events across centuries, ranging from ancient political marriages to modern‑day observances. Below is a consolidated overview of the most frequently cited milestones.
1. Political & Legal Milestones
| Year | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 38 BC | Octavian divorced Scribonia and married Livia Drusilla | Marked a shift in alliances within the Roman Republic4. |
| 1920 | Volstead Act went into effect, beginning U.S. Prohibition | Enforced the 18th Amendment, banning manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol5. |
| 1991 | Operation Desert Storm launched | U.S.–led coalition began air campaign against Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait8. |
| 2002 | Sierra Leone civil war officially declared over | Ended a decade‑long conflict that caused >50,000 deaths and displaced ~2 million people1. |
2. Exploration & Scientific Firsts
- 1773 – Captain James Cook’s ship Resolution became the first vessel to cross the Antarctic Circle9.
- 1524 – Giovanni da Verrazzano set out on an expedition seeking a westward route to China, later exploring the North American coast2.
3. Natural Disasters
- 1994 – The Northridge earthquake (magnitude 6.7) struck Los Angeles, killing 54 and causing billions in damage3.
4. Cultural & Sporting Foundations
- 1795 – The Dudingston Curling Society was organized in Edinburgh, one of the earliest formal curling clubs9.
- 1600 – The Dudingston Curling Society (sometimes listed as 1795) reflects the long tradition of organized curling in Scotland9.
5. Annual Observances
- Kid Inventors’ Day – Celebrates young innovators.
- Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day – A light‑hearted reminder to relax resolutions. Both are observed on January 17 in the United States10.
Quick Timeline
- 38 BC – Octavian’s marriage.
- 1524 – Verrazzano’s departure.
- 1773 – Cook’s Antarctic crossing.
- 1795 – Dudingston Curling Society founded.
- 1920 – U.S. Prohibition begins.
- 1991 – Desert Storm launched.
- 1994 – Northridge earthquake.
- 2002 – Sierra Leone civil war ends.
These events illustrate the diverse historical significance of January 17, spanning politics, exploration, disaster, and cultural celebration.
AI can make mistakes. Verify important information.