◆ On this day

February 17

4 sourced moments from February 17 in history: Giordano Bruno was burned in 1600 for more than astronomy; The House finally picks a president on the 36th ballot (1801); A submarine sinks a warship for the first time (1864), plus 1 more.

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4 things happened on February 17

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1972 Technology · Transportation

VW Beetle overtakes the Ford Model T

The 15-millionth Beetle rolled off the line in Wolfsburg, retiring a production record the Model T had held for nearly half a century.

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1864 History · War & Conflict

A submarine sinks a warship for the first time

Off Charleston, the hand-cranked Confederate Hunley rammed a spar torpedo into the USS Housatonic — then vanished with all eight aboard.

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1801 Society & Economy · Politics & Law

The House finally picks a president on the 36th ballot

A tied Electoral College threw the 1800 election to the House, which deadlocked for days before handing Jefferson the win.

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1600 Science · The Scientific Method

Giordano Bruno was burned in 1600 for more than astronomy

Bruno is remembered as a martyr for astronomy, but the list of heresies that condemned him is lost and the known charges were theological.

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