Today in History: October 17 (Quiz)

[D] The Battles of Saratoga | On October 17, 1777, General John Burgoyne surrendered to the American forces at Saratoga, marking a decisive victory for the Continental Army and a crucial turning point in the Revolutionary War. This also was the first time in world history that the British Army surrendered to another country.

[C] The Surrender at Yorktown | On October 17, 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown, effectively marking the end of the American Revolutionary War.

[B] London Beer Flood | On October 17, 1814, a large vat at the Meux's Brewery in London burst, causing a flood of beer that damaged buildings and resulted in several deaths.

[C] Frédéric Chopin | Frédéric Chopin, the renowned Polish pianist and composer, died on October 17, 1849, at the age of 39 due to tuberculosis. He is celebrated for his contributions to piano music, particularly his "Concerto in F Minor," and is considered one of the greatest composers for the piano.

[C] Willie Park Sr. | On October 17, 1860, Willie Park Sr., a Scottish golfer, won the first-ever British Open Men's Golf Championship held at Prestwick Golf Club. He secured his victory by two strokes over Tom Morris Sr., another prominent Scottish golfer of the time. The event marked the beginning of the British Open, which has become one of the four major golf tournaments recognized worldwide.

[A] The Marconi International Marine Communication Company | On October 17, 1907, Guglielmo Marconi's company, The Marconi International Marine Communication Company, began the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Clifden, Ireland. This service marked a key development in global communication networks and represented a pivotal moment in the history of telecommunications.

[C] As a refugee from Nazi Germany | On October 17, 1933, Albert Einstein, a theoretical physicist of Jewish heritage, arrived in the United States as a refugee from Nazi Germany.

[B] Bobby Fischer | On October 17, 1956, a young chess prodigy named Bobby Fischer made history by defeating the 1953 U.S. Champion Donald Byrne in a game that has been dubbed the "Game of the Century."

[A] Albert Camus | Albert Camus, a French author known for his works such as "The Stranger" and "The Plague," was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on October 17, 1957.

[A] For withdrawing her racehorse | On October 17, 1959, Queen Elizabeth II was fined $140 for withdrawing her racehorse from a race. This incident occurred during a horse race event where the withdrawal of her horse led to the imposition of a standard fine, highlighting that even members of the royal family are subject to the rules and regulations of such sporting events.

[C] Bullitt | The iconic film "Bullitt," directed by Peter Yates and starring Steve McQueen along with Jacqueline Bisset, was first released in theaters on October 17, 1968. The movie is particularly famous for its car chase through the streets of San Francisco, which is often regarded as one of the most thrilling and influential in cinematic history.

[B] Marian Anderson | Marian Anderson was a world-renowned contralto and a pioneer for civil rights. On October 17, 1978, she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Jimmy Carter in recognition of her exceptional contributions to culture and the arts.

[A] Mother Teresa | On October 17, 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work and dedication to the poor and destitute in Calcutta, India.

[D] Loma Prieta earthquake | On October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake, measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale, struck the San Francisco Bay Area, causing widespread damage and loss of life.

[B] International Day for the Eradication of Poverty | The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed annually on October 17 to raise awareness about the people struggling and living in poverty worldwide. This day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution 47/196 on December 22, 1992.