This Day in History: February 17

1568 Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II agrees to pay tribute to the Ottoman Empire for peace

Following the Ottoman Empire's advances into Europe, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II agreed to pay an annual tribute of 30,000 ducats to the Ottomans in exchange for peace. This agreement was part of a larger effort to prevent further Ottoman expansion into Central Europe.

1863 A precursor of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is founded

The "Committee for Relief to the Wounded" was founded in Geneva, Switzerland by a group of citizens concerned about the suffering of soldiers during wartime. This organization would eventually become the International Committee of the Red Cross, which provides aid to victims of armed conflict and other disasters around the world.

1865 Columbia in South Carolina burns down during the American Civil War

During the American Civil War, Union troops under General William Tecumseh Sherman burned much of the city of Columbia, South Carolina. The cause of the fire is still debated, with some historians attributing it to the actions of Union soldiers and others arguing that it was set by Confederate forces as they retreated from the city.

1876 Sardines first canned by Julius Wolff in Eastport, Maine

Julius Wolff, a German immigrant to the United States, canned the first sardines in Eastport, Maine. Sardines had previously been considered a "trash fish" but became popular as a cheap and convenient source of protein.

1904 "Madama Butterfly" is premiered

Giacomo Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" premiered at La Scala in Milan, Italy. The opera, which tells the tragic story of a young Japanese geisha who is abandoned by her American husband, was initially poorly received by audiences but has since become one of the most frequently performed works in the operatic repertoire.

1913 The "Armory Show" opens in New York

The "Armory Show" was a groundbreaking art exhibition held in New York City that featured works by modernist artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Marcel Duchamp. The exhibition introduced American audiences to avant-garde art movements from Europe and sparked controversy and debate about the nature of art and the role of museums and galleries in promoting new forms of artistic expression.

1992 Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is jailed for life

Jeffrey Dahmer, who had been convicted of murdering and dismembering 17 young men and boys, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Dahmer's crimes shocked the world and raised questions about the nature of evil and the limits of psychological and psychiatric treatment for violent criminals.

2008 Kosovo declares its independence

The region of Kosovo, which had been under Serbian control, declared its independence following a period of armed conflict known as the Kosovo War. The declaration was controversial and remains disputed by Serbia and some other countries, but has been recognized by many nations around the world.

2017 Discovery of a new mostly underwater continent Zealandia in the South Pacific announced in research journal "GSA Today"

Geologists announced the discovery of a new continent, Zealandia, mostly submerged in the South Pacific Ocean. The continent, which