Deaths on January 17

Betty Smith

Died on January 17, 1972

Betty Smith, American author and playwright (b. 1896)

Betty Smith (born Elisabeth Lillian Wehner; December 15, 1896 – January 17, 1972) was an American author. She is best known for her 1943 bestselling book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

References

Betty Smith

Choose Another Date

Events on 1972

21 Feb

Sino-American relations
United States President Richard Nixon visits the People's Republic of China to normalize Sino-American relations.
8 May

Richard Nixon
Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his order to place mines in major North Vietnamese ports in order to stem the flow of weapons and other goods to that nation.
22 May

Sri Lanka
Ceylon adopts a new constitution, becoming a Republic, changes its name to Sri Lanka, and joins the Commonwealth of Nations.
23 Jun

Central Intelligence Agency
Watergate scandal: U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman are taped talking about using the Central Intelligence Agency to obstruct the Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation into the Watergate break-ins.
1 Sep

Bobby Fischer
In Reykjavík, Iceland, American Bobby Fischer beats Russian Boris Spassky to become the world chess champion.

Deaths on January 17

Betty Smith

Died on January 17, 1972

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1972

Sino-American relations

Richard Nixon

Sri Lanka

Central Intelligence Agency

Bobby Fischer