What happened on November 17th?

Elizabeth I takes the throne

Author

Matthew Jones
November 17, 2024

1558 Elizabeth I Ascends the English Throne

On November 17, 1558, Elizabeth I ascended the English throne, marking the end of Mary I’s reign. This event had lasting effects on English culture, religion, and global influence, as Elizabeth's reign is often seen as a golden age for England. Her policies strengthened England, led to the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and set the stage for England's future as a major world power. Also, during the Elizabethan era, English literature flourished, especially with Shakespeare, and significant exploration and expansions occurred.

This painting, created between 1600 and 1610, is a copy of a lost original from around 1559 by Levina Teerlinc. It depicts Queen Elizabeth I of England in her coronation robes, adorned with Tudor roses and trimmed with ermine.

🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on November 17:

2008 ─ The blockbuster film adaptation of Twilight premiered in Los Angeles, kicking off a global phenomenon around Stephenie Meyer’s vampire-romance saga.

2003 ─ Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger took office as California’s governor after a widely publicized recall election that replaced Governor Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger’s political shift marked a unique turn in state leadership, blending celebrity appeal with a promise for reform.

1989 ─ A police crackdown at a Prague student protest on this day ignited massive antigovernment demonstrations in Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic or Czechia, fueling the country’s path to independence.

1973 ─ As the Watergate scandal unraveled, US President Richard Nixon defended himself in a press conference with the famous line, “I am not a crook,” in response to mounting accusations.

1871 ─ The National Rifle Association was chartered in New York, claiming a mission to promote civilian gun ownership and rifle marksmanship in the United States.

1869 ─ Egypt’s Suez Canal, a monumental engineering feat linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas, opened to international acclaim and dramatically altered global trade routes.

1800 ─ The US Congress held its inaugural session in the new capital, Washington, DC, symbolizing the nation's growth and westward expansion.

284 ─ Roman soldiers proclaimed Diocletian emperor, setting the stage for the later division and stabilization of the Roman Empire.

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

On November 17, we’re singing to:

Vespasian (9) ─ Vespasian, a Roman emperor who founded the Flavian dynasty and stabilized the empire after years of civil war, known for beginning the construction of the Colosseum.

Rachel McAdams (1978) ─ Acclaimed Canadian actress recognized for her roles in films like The Notebook and Mean Girls, known for her versatility across genres.

Martin Scorsese (1942) ─ Iconic American film director and producer recognized as a major influence in filmmaking and celebrated for classics like Goodfellas and Taxi Driver.

Danny DeVito (1944) ─ Beloved actor, director, and producer whose unique humor and versatility have marked memorable roles in both film and television.

 🪦Who Died Today?

On November 17, we’re saying goodbye to:

Valentinian I (375) ─ Valentinian, a Roman emperor known for his strong military leadership and efforts to defend the Western Empire from external threats.

Mary I (1558) ─ Queen of England remembered for her attempt to restore Catholicism and turbulent reign that left a complex legacy in English history.

Catherine the Great (1796) ─ Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia who expanded the empire significantly and was a key figure in the European Enlightenment era.

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