February 17

in History

Wu Zetian Was Born — China's only female emperor draws first breath

Wenshui, ChinaMedieval

624

Wu Zetian Was Born

China's only female emperor draws first breath

Wu Zetian was born in the Tang dynasty, the woman who would become the only female emperor in Chinese history. Beginning as a concubine, she climbed the treacherous ladder of palace politics to seize supreme power, ruling China for over two decades. Her reign was marked by political cunning, military expansion, and cultural patronage. Wu Zetian shattered every convention of gender and power in one of history's most extraordinary ascents.

624 AD

Ruth Clifford Was Born — A silent film star with a century of stories

Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United StatesEarly 20th Century

1900

Ruth Clifford Was Born

A silent film star with a century of stories

Ruth Clifford was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a future actress whose career would span the entire arc of Hollywood history. Beginning in the silent film era, she transitioned seamlessly to talkies and continued working in film and television for decades. Her remarkable longevity in the entertainment industry, living to ninety-eight, made her one of the last living links to cinema's earliest days.

1900 AD

Late 20th Century

1959

Turkish Airlines

A Turkish Airlines Vickers Viscount crashes near Gatwick Airport, killing 14; Turkish prime minister Adnan Menderes survives the crash.

1959 AD