GMT

Today in History: January 17

1773
Captain James Cook becomes the first to cross Antarctic Circle (66° 33' S)

1873
Modoc warriors defeats the United States Army in the First Battle of the Stronghold, a part of the Modoc War

1920
First day of prohibition of alcohol comes into effect in the US as a result of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution

1939
The Reich issues an order forbidding Jews to practice as dentists, veterinarians and chemists.

1963
Soviet leader Khrushchev visits the Berlin Wall.

1985
A jury in New Jersey rules that terminally ill patients have the right to starve themselves.

1991
Operation Desert Storm begins, with US-led coalition forces bombing Iraq, during the Gulf War

2023
Revival of 1980s American TV sitcom "Night Court", premieres on NBC TV; John Larrquette is the sole returning cast member

2024
In a major victory, Fifth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals upholds a lower court decision to block key provisions of HB 900, Texas’s controversial book rating law

Born on January 17

1706
Benjamin Franklin, statesman, diplomat, scientist and inventor who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and wrote Poor Richard's Almanac.

1899
Al Capone, U.S. mobster known as "Scarface Al" who ran most of Chicago and the surrounding area.

1922
Betty White, actress; created memorable characters in TV sitcoms from the 1950s into the 21st century (Life with Elizabeth, Mary Tyler Moore, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland) and was a popular guest on TV game shows. At age 88 and a half she became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live (2010).

JOTD
A Blonde Woman Asks For A $5000 Loan

A blonde woman walks into a bank in NYC before going on vacation and asks for a $5,000 loan.
The banker asks, "Okay, miss, is there anything you would like to use as collateral?"
The woman says, "Yes, of course. I'll use my Rolls Royce."
The banker, stunned, asks, "A $250,000 Rolls Royce? Really?"
The woman is completely positive. She hands over the keys, as the bankers and loan officers laugh at her. They check her credentials, make sure she is the title owner. Everything checks out. They park it in their underground garage for two weeks.
When she comes back, she pays off the $5,000 loan as well as the $15.41 interest.
The loan officer says, "Miss, we are very appreciative of your business with us, but I have one question. We looked you up and found out that you are a multi-millionaire. Why would you want to borrow $5,000?"
The woman replies, "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I return?"