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National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for January 17, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
These observances run for a full week; this calendar day falls inside the week.
These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.
Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for January.
International and other global observances on this date (may include days, weeks, or months).
Events that occurred on January 17 throughout history
Inventor Andrew S. Hallidie received the first U.S. patent for the cable car. His invention described in U.S. patent No.110,971 consisted of a series of pulleys and cables designed to transport a bucket or car along a track. In 1873, Hallidie oversaw the installation of the first cable car in San Francisco, California at Clay Street.
The U.S. Patent Office issued patent No. 1656,522 for an automatic photo-developing machine to Anatol M. Josepho. He called it a Photomaton, and today it's called a photo booth.
Popeye the Sailor Man appears for the first time in the Thimble Theatre comic strip. The artist, E.C. Segar created the strip and the spinach-loving character.
The USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, departed on its first voyage under the leadership of Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson. January 17th Celebrated Birthdays
