Nicosia, Cyprus. A range of major events occurred on February 17 across culture, politics, currency changeovers, and natural disasters. The date includes notable premieres, legislative actions, leadership changes, and deaths.
Culture
In 1904, Madama Butterfly premiered in Milan.
Politics and government
In 1919, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canadian Liberal prime minister from 1896-1911, died. He was the first French Canadian to be prime minister of Canada.
In 1933, the U.S. Senate passed an act ending prohibition.
In 1982, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Robert Mugabe sacked Joshua Nkomo from the government for allegedly plotting against the ruling ZANU-PF Party.
In 1997, Pakistani President Farooq Leghari, who had sacked Benazir Bhutto’s government, swore in Nawaz Sharif as new prime minister.
Currency
In 2002, France bid an unemotional farewell to its 641-year-old currency as the franc lived its last day as legal tender after a swift changeover to the euro.
Deaths
In 2004, former Mexican President Jose Lopez Portillo, famous for swearing to defend the peso “like a dog” shortly before devaluing, died. He was 83.
In 2007, Maurice Papon, the only French Nazi official to be convicted for his role in the deportation of Jews during World War Two, died aged 96.
Disaster
In 2006, mudslides triggered by heavy rains entombed nearly 1,000 people in the Philippine province of Southern Leyte.
Which of these February 17 events did you find most significant?