Births on October 17

Ron Drummond, American author and scholar

Ronald N. Drummond (b. 1959 in Seattle, Washington) is a writer, editor, and independent scholar.

1 Jan

Cuban Revolution
Fulgencio Batista, dictator of Cuba, is overthrown by Fidel Castro's forces during the Cuban Revolution.
7 Jan

Fidel Castro
The United States recognizes the new Cuban government of Fidel Castro.
20 Feb

John Diefenbaker
The Avro Arrow program to design and manufacture supersonic jet fighters in Canada is cancelled by the Diefenbaker government amid much political debate.
8 Apr

COBOL
A team of computer manufacturers, users, and university people led by Grace Hopper meets to discuss the creation of a new programming language that would be called COBOL.
23 Nov

Charles de Gaulle
French President Charles de Gaulle declares in a speech in Strasbourg his vision for "Europe, from the Atlantic to the Urals".