October 17: Burma Railway, OPEC Oil Embargo and Raqqa Falls to the Kurds

On This Day in History October 17, 2020 Historical Events 733  Battle at Tours (Poitiers): Charles Martel's Frankish and Burgundian forces beat those of al-Andalus under Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi halting Islamic influence (date disputed) 1854  French and British forces bombard Sevastopol for the first time during the Crimean War 1907  Guglielmo Marconi's company begins the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada and Clifden, Ireland 1943  Burma railway completed, built by Allied POWs and Asian laborers for use of the Japanese army 1973  OPEC oil ministers use oil as an economic weapon in the Arab-Israeli War, mandating a cut in exports and recommending an embargo against unfriendly states 2017  Islamic State headquarters Raqqa declared under full control of US-led alliance by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesman Talal Sello after 4 months of fighting More Historical Events Famous Birthdays Arthur Miller (1915 - 2005) Eminem 48th Birthday Evel Knievel (1938 - 2007) Mae Jemison 64th Birthday More Famous Birthdays Famous Deaths Frederic Chopin (1810 - 1849) Ralph Abernathy (1926 - 1990) More Famous Deaths October 17: Chopin: The Day the Music Died The brief life of Chopin, one of music's earliest superstars, ended on this day when the sickly composer fell victim to tuberculosis. He was just 39. Read the Article You Might Like Take Our Weekly Quiz You received this email because you opted in at our website, OnThisDay.com Update Your Preferences | Unsubscribe © 2020 OnThisDay.com 2 Acacia Place, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand