17 October in history.

1771

A 15-year-old Mozart premieres an opera. Ascanio in Alba, an opera Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote when he was just 15, was performed for the first time in Milan.

Wikipedia: Ascanio in Alba

Photo: Unknown author Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 17 October

1. 

   1604

   Kepler watches a new star appear

   Astronomer Johannes Kepler began observing a dazzling new light in the constellation Ophiuchus. Today we know it as Kepler's Supernova.

   Wikipedia: Johannes KeplerWikipedia: Kepler's SupernovaWikipedia: Ophiuchus

   Photo: August Köhler [1] / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

2. 

   1860

   Golf's oldest major is played for the first time

   The Open Championship, the oldest of men's golf's four major championships, was played for the first time at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.

   Wikipedia: The Open ChampionshipWikipedia: Men's major golf championshipsWikipedia: 1860 Open Championship

   Photo: Unknown author Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

3. 1907

   Marconi starts wireless messages across the Atlantic

   Guglielmo Marconi began the first commercial wireless service across the Atlantic Ocean.

   Wikipedia: Marconi Company

4. 

   1964

   Canberra opens Lake Burley Griffin

   Prime Minister Robert Menzies opened Lake Burley Griffin, a man-made lake at the heart of Australia's capital, Canberra.

   Wikipedia: Robert MenziesWikipedia: Lake Burley GriffinWikipedia: Canberra

   Photo: National Library of Australia / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.