Births on April 17

Robert Dean Frisbie, American soldier and author (d. 1948)

Robert Dean Frisbie (17 April 1896 - 19 November 1948) was an American writer of travel literature about Polynesia.

24 Feb

Cuban War of Independence
Revolution breaks out in Baire, a town near Santiago de Cuba, beginning the Cuban War of Independence, that ends with the Spanish-American War in 1898.
3 Apr

Oscar Wilde
The trial in the libel case brought by Oscar Wilde begins, eventually resulting in his imprisonment on charges of homosexuality.
6 Apr

John Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry
Oscar Wilde is arrested in the Cadogan Hotel, London, after losing a libel case against the Marquess of Queensberry.
7 May

Alexander Stepanovich Popov
In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector — a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day.
28 Jun

Greater Republic of Central America
El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua form the Greater Republic of Central America.