On This Day in South Africa: What happened on 17 October?

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 17 October, throughout world and South African history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

ON THIS DAY: 17 OCTOBER

1961 | Walter Sisulu, ANC leader was arrested for not having a log book.

1948 | Sibusiso Ndebele, Premier of Kwa-Zulu Natal province and member of the ANC National Executive Committee, was born.

2018 | The recreational use of marijuana was legalised in Canada.

2018 | Attack on the Kerch Polytechnic College in Crimea. At least 19 people were killed and dozens more wounded.

2001 |  Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Ze’evi was the first Israeli minister to be killed in a terrorist attack.

1994 | Russian journalist Dmitry Kholodov was killed while investigating corruption in the armed forces.

ALSO READ: What happened on 16 October?

BIRTHDAYS

1969 | South African professional golfer, Ernie Els.

1990 | South African rugby union player, Patrick Lambie.

1951 | Swedish singer, Roger Pontare.

1954 | American mountaineer, Carlos Buhler.

1936 | Japanese-American seismologist and academic, Hiroo Kanamori.

ON THIS DAY: DEATHS

2014 | Japanese author and activist, Masaru Emoto, 71.

1963 | French mathematician and academic, Jacques Hadamard, 98.

2013 | American-Mexican nun and activist, Mother Antonia, 87.

2013 | American animator, producer, and voice actor, co-founded the Filmation Company, Lou Scheimer, 85.

2002 | Irish harpist and composer, Derek Bell, 67.

SPORTS

2007 | On this day, Russia beat England 2-1 in a Euro 2008 qualifying match played on the artificial surface of the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

ENTERTAINMENT

2008 | “The Secret Life of Bees” was released in the United States on this day for the first time.

AFRICA FACT

After the formation of South Sudan which gained its full independence in 2011, the size of Sudan was reduced by 25%.