Deaths on October 17

Pierre François le Courayer, French-English theologian and author (b. 1681)

Pierre François le Courayer (17 November 1681 – 17 October 1776) was a French Catholic theological writer, for many years an expatriate in England.

11 Jun

United States Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress appoints Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston to the Committee of Five to draft a declaration of independence.
8 Jul

Declaration of Independence of the United States
Church bells (possibly including the Liberty Bell) are rung after John Nixon delivers the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence of the United States.
9 Jul

Battle of Long Island
George Washington orders the Declaration of Independence to be read out to members of the Continental Army in Manhattan, while thousands of British troops on Staten Island prepare for the Battle of Long Island.
10 Aug

United States Declaration of Independence
American Revolutionary War: Word of the United States Declaration of Independence reaches London.
11 Oct

Battle of Valcour Island
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Valcour Island: On Lake Champlain a fleet of American boats is defeated by the Royal Navy, but delays the British advance until 1777.