April 17

What happened on April 17 in history

3 events fall on April 17, from 1397 to 1970. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

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Events on April 17

  1. 1397

    Chaucer tells the Canterbury Tales at court

    The traditional date for the first telling before Richard II.

    Play the Medieval & Renaissance round

  2. 1961

    The Bay of Pigs invasion

    A CIA-backed landing in Cuba collapses within three days.

    Play the 20th century round

  3. 1970

    Apollo 13 splashes down

    The crew returns safely after four days in a crippled spacecraft.

    Play the 20th century round