17 November It Happened Today

1603  Sir Walter Raleigh goes on trial for treason.

1796  Death of Catherine the Great of Russia.

1869  Suez Canal opened.

1904  The first underwater submarine journey is made from Southampton to the Isle of Wight.

1913  The Louise becomes the first ship to travel through the Panama Canal.

1917  Death of French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

1925  Birth of American actor Rock Hudson.