On April 17 1824, Russia abandoned all North American claims south of 54° 40’N.
The 17th of April (other years):
1907 — The Ellis Island immigration center processed 11,747 immigrants, more than on any other day.
1942 — French prisoner of war General Henri Giraud escaped from his castle prison in Königstein Fortress.
1969 – Communist Party of Czechoslovakia chairman Alexander Dubček was deposed.