A detailed study revealed that watching SpongeBob SquarePants impairs young children's thinking
University of Virginia researchers found that four-year-olds who watched just nine minutes of the cartoon performed significantly worse on mental func...
April 17 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
2009
1989
The Polish trade union Solidarity was officially legalized after years of government suppression
The communist government's recognition of Solidarity marked a turning point in Eastern European politics. Led by Lech Wałęsa, the union had operated u...
1983
Disney officially opened Epcot's Horizons attraction, celebrating future living
The ambitious dark ride took guests through visions of future life in space colonies, underwater cities, and desert farms. With a 15-minute runtime, i...
1982
Canada officially adopted its own constitution with the signing of the Constitution Act
Queen Elizabeth II came to Ottawa to sign the document that severed Canada's last colonial legislative ties to Britain. Notably, Quebec refused to sig...
1975
The Cambodian Civil War ended when the Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh
MajorPol Pot's communist forces took control of Cambodia's capital, beginning one of history's darkest chapters. Within hours, the Khmer Rouge began forcib...
1970
Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth after a near-fatal oxygen tank explosion in space
MajorAfter three days of desperate improvisation and problem-solving, astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise splashed down in the Pacific Ocea...
1964
Jerrie Mock became the first woman to fly solo around the world
The Ohio housewife completed her 29-day journey in a single-engine Cessna 180, landing back in Columbus after covering 22,858 miles. She beat out famo...
1937
Daffy Duck made his debut in the Looney Tunes cartoon 'Porky's Duck Hunt'
The screwball black duck appeared as a wild, unhinged character who drove Porky Pig crazy with his unpredictable behavior. Animator Bob Clampett based...
1907
Ellis Island processed a record 11,747 immigrants in a single day
The immigration station in New York Harbor hit its all-time peak processing number as thousands of Europeans sought new lives in America. Inspectors h...
1895
China ceded Taiwan to Japan following the Treaty of Shimonoseki
After losing the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing Dynasty was forced to give up the island of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands. This marked the beginnin...
1521
Martin Luther appeared before the Diet of Worms to defend his religious writings
MajorThe German monk was ordered to recant his criticisms of the Catholic Church but refused, allegedly saying 'Here I stand, I can do no other.' This defi...