Today in History: OPEC impose oil embargo targeting nations supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War in 1973

The following are some of the major events that occurred on October 17 throughout history:

1777 – Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga
British General John Burgoyne surrendered his army to American forces at Saratoga, a turning point in the American Revolutionary War.

1835 – Texas Rangers created
On October 17, Texans approved a resolution formally creating the Texas Rangers, a frontier law enforcement body.

1888 – First issue of National Geographic magazine
The first issue of National Geographic went on sale on October 17, 1888.

1931 – Al Capone convicted of tax evasion
The notorious gangster Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion on October 17, 1931, and later sentenced to prison.

1933 – First appearance of “News-Week” magazine
On October 17, 1933, News-Week magazine (later Newsweek) made its first appearance.

1933 – Albert Einstein moves to the U.S.
Albert Einstein emigrated from Germany and moved to the United States on October 17, 1933.

1973 – OPEC enacts oil embargo
On October 17, 1973, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced an oil embargo targeting nations supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

1974 – President Ford defends Nixon pardon
On this date President Gerald Ford addressed Congress to explain and justify his pardon of Richard Nixon, following the Watergate scandal.

1979 – Mother Teresa awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize on October 17, 1979.

1989 – Loma Prieta earthquake strikes California
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area on October 17, 1989, killing dozens, causing major damage, and disrupting the World Series.