1603 – English explorer, writer and courtier Sir Walter Raleigh went on trial for treason on the 17th November 1603.

1800 – The United States Congress held its 1st session in Washington, D.C. on the 17th November 1800.

1855 – David Livingstone became the 1st European to see the Victoria Falls on the 17th November 1855, in what is now present-day Zambia–Zimbabwe.

1925 – Rock Hudson the American actor was born on the 17th November 1925 (d. 1985).

1937 – Peter Cook the English comedian and actor was born on the 17th November 1937 (d. 1995).

1938 – Gordon Lightfoot the Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist was born on the 17th November 1938.

1944 – Danny DeVito the American actor, director, and producer was born on the 17th November 1944.

1954 ~ Chopper Read the Australian former criminal and author was born Mark Brandon Read in Melbourne on the 17th November 1954 (died 9th October 2013 aged 58). Chopper Read wrote a series of semi-autobiographical and fictional crime novels, selling more than 500,000 books including Chopper: From the Inside (1991), Chopper 2: Hits and Memories (1992), Chopper 3: How to Shoot Friends & Influence People (1993), Chopper 4: For the Term of His Unnatural Life (1994), Chopper 5: Pulp Faction: Revenge of the Rabbit Kisser and Other Jailhouse Stories (1995), Chopper 6: No Tears for a Tough Guy (1996), Chopper 7: The Singing Defective (1997), Chopper 8: The Sicilian Defence (1998), Chopper 9: The Final Cut (1999), Chopper 10 1⁄2: The Popcorn Gangster (2001) and Hooky the Cripple children’s book.

The 2000 Australian film Chopper was based on Chopper Read’s life, played by stars Eric Bana. Official website: www.ChopperRead.com | YouTube video: Chopper the movie trailer…

1960 ~ Jonathan Ross the English television and radio presenter was born on the 17th November 1960.

1965 – Amanda Brown the Australian violinist and composer from The Go-Betweens was born on the 17th November 1965.

1966 – Jeff Buckley the American singer-songwriter and guitarist was born on the 17th November 1966 (d. 1997).

1966 – Kate Ceberano the Australian singer-songwriter and actress was born on the 17th November 1966.

1969 ~ Tania Zaetta the Australian actress and television presenter who acts in Bollywood was born on the 17th November 1969. Tania Zaetta’s official website: www.Tania.com.au

1980 – Isaac Hanson the American singer-songwriter and guitarist  from Hanson was born on the 17th November 1980.

1994 – Raquel Castro the American actress and singer was born on the 17th November 1994.

Visit this day: 17th November in history and see the video at www.History.com