Events:
1558: Elizabeth II becomes Queen of England.
1800: The US Congress sits for the first time in Washington DC.
1869: The Suez Canal is inaugurated.
1933: The USA recognises the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics (USSR).
1983: The Zapatista Army of National Liberation is founded in Mexico.
Births:
1746: Nicolas Appert, French chef and inventor of canning.
1923: Aristide Pereira, first President of Cape Verde.
1942: Martin Scorsese, American film director.
1952: Cyril Ramaphosa, South African politician and businessman.
1960: RuPaul, American drag queen, actor and singer.
1977: Ryk Neethling, South African Olympic swimmer.
Deaths:
1796: Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.
1917: Auguste Rodin, French sculptor.
1922: Audre Lorde, American poet, essayist and activist.
17 November is President’s Day in the Marshall Islands, International Students’ Day, and World Prematurity Day.
