January 17th
1806
James Madison Randolph, the grandson of Thomas Jefferson, became the first child born in the White House.
1893
Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, died in Fremont, Ohio, at age 70.
1916
The Professional Golfers Association was formed in New York City.
1975
The television show "Baretta" debuted on ABC.
1977
Gary Gilmore became the first person executed in the U.S. since the death penalty was reintroduced.
1991
Operation Desert Storm was launched against Iraq.
1998
President Clinton became the first sitting U.S. president to testify as a defendant in a criminal or civil suit.
2001
Gov. Gray Davis declared a state of emergency concerning California's electricity crisis.
2008
Bobby Fischer, the chess master who became a Cold War icon when he dethroned the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky as world champion in 1972, died at age 64.
Birthdays
87 Betty White Actress ("The Golden Girls")
78 James Earl Jones Actor
78 Don Zimmer Baseball coach
70 Maury Povich Talk show host
67 Muhammad Ali Boxing Hall of Famer
61 Mick Taylor Rock musician (Rolling Stones)
55 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Son of Bobby Kennedy & Nephew of JFK
52 Steve Harvey Actor, comedian
50 Susanna Hoffs Rock musician, singer (The Bangles)
47 Jim Carrey Actor
45 Michelle Obama Wife of President-elect Barack Obama
38 Kid Rock Rock/Rap/Country musician
34 Freddy Rodriguez Actor ("Six Feet Under")
27 Dwayne Wade Basketball player
26
AAlmeter Cigar Asylum Member
84 Benjamin Franklin 1/17/1706 - 4/17/1790 Founding Fathers of the United States of America and inventor
48 Al Capone 1/17/1899 - 1/25/1947 American gangster