April 17 marks the 1937 birth of Ronald Hamowy, Canadian historian, who first came to international prominence for his writings in the short-lived but influential New Individualist Review. Hamowy died in 2012.
April 17, 1907 — The Ellis Island immigration center processed 11,747 immigrants, more than on any other day.
April 17, 1942 — French prisoner of war General Henri Giraud escaped from his castle prison in Königstein Fortress.
April 17, 1969 – Communist Party of Czechoslovakia chairman Alexander Dubček was deposed.