Interesting Facts of January 17th
- The United Nations Security Council held its first meeting on January 17, 1946.
- Comic strip character Popeye made his first appearance in Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929.
- It’s historically been an important day for US aviation with both the first balloon flight for mail delivery (1785) and first commercial jet trip (1959) happening on this date.
- This day is annually celebrated as the birthday of Muhammad Ali, one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century, born on this day in 1942.
- Famous inventor and physicist, James Watt, known for his improvements to the steam engine, was born on January 17 in 1736.