Today in History
2008 Kosovo declares its independence
The region’s secession from Serbia followed an armed conflict referred to as the Kosovo War.
1992 Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is jailed for life
Dahmer was convicted of murdering and dismembering at least 17 young men and boys.
1913 The “Armory Show” opens in New York
The exhibition, which featured works by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh, heralded the arrival of artistic modernism in the United States.
1904 “Madama Butterfly” is premiered
The first performance of Giacomo Puccini’s opera, one of the world’s most performed works of musical theater, was a flop.
1863 A precursor of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is founded
The “Committee for Relief to the Wounded” was created by a group of citizens in Geneva, Switzerland.
Births On This Day, February 17
1981 Paris Hilton
American model, actress, singer
1963 Michael Jordan
American basketball player, actor
1949 Fred Frith
English guitarist, composer
1904 Hans Morgenthau
German philosopher
624 Wu Zetian
Chinese empress
Deaths On This Day, February 17
1998 Ernst Jünger
German author
1986 Jiddu Krishnamurti
Indian/American philosopher, author
1982 Thelonious Monk
American pianist, composer
1856 Heinrich Heine
German poet
1673 Molière
French playwright, actor
