Historical Events
- US takes possession of Wake Island in the Pacific
Famous Birthdays
Al Capone (1899-1947)
American gangster (Chicago bootlegging), born in Brooklyn, New York
- Nevil Shute [Norway], English-Australian novelist (On the Beach, Town Like Alice), born in London, England (d. 1960)
- Robert Maynard Hutchins, American educational philosopher (University of Chicago), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1977)
- Roel Houwink, Dutch writer and poet (1 Man Without Character), born in Breda (d. 1987)
Famous Deaths
- Jedediah Hotchkiss, American topographer and cartographer, dies at 70
Died in 1899 1899 Highlights
About January 17, 1899
Day of the Week: Tuesday
How Long Ago? 125 years, 3 months and 16 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Lost Generation
Star Sign: Capricorn
Authors
Civil Rights Activists
Inventors
Kings
Revolutionaries
Scientists