On This Day, Feb. 17: Jimmy Fallon debuts as 'Tonight Show' host

UPI Staff
·3 min read
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Jimmy Fallon arrives on the red carpet for the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 2, 2022. On February 17, 2014, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" made its debut on NBC with the Roots as the house band. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Jimmy Fallon arrives on the red carpet for the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 2, 2022. On February 17, 2014, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" made its debut on NBC with the Roots as the house band. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
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Feb. 17 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1801, the U.S. House of Representatives chose Thomas Jefferson as the third president of the United States after he and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College. It took 35 House ballots before Jefferson won and Burr became vice president.

In 1904, Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly premiered in Milan, Italy.

In 1909, Apache leader Geronimo died while under military confinement at Fort Sill, Okla. His grave remains there despite later efforts to move his remains to his native Arizona.

In 1933, Newsweek magazine published its first issue.

A statue of Thomas Jefferson sits near the columns on the Francis Quadrangle at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., on November 7, 2015. On February 17, 1801, the U.S. House chose Jefferson as the third president of the United States after he and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/ UPI
A statue of Thomas Jefferson sits near the columns on the Francis Quadrangle at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., on November 7, 2015. On February 17, 1801, the U.S. House chose Jefferson as the third president of the United States after he and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/ UPI

In 1968, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened in Springfield, Mass.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (2nd-L) takes a tour of the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. File Photo by Altman/UPI
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (2nd-L) takes a tour of the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. File Photo by Altman/UPI
On February 17, 1909, Apache leader Geronimo died while under military confinement at Fort Sill, Okla. File Photo by Ben Wittick/U.S. National Archives
On February 17, 1909, Apache leader Geronimo died while under military confinement at Fort Sill, Okla. File Photo by Ben Wittick/U.S. National Archives

In 1993, a ferry capsized during stormy weather off the western coast of Haiti, killing more than 500 people.

In 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush nominated John Negroponte to be the first director of national intelligence. Negroponte assumed office the following month.

The Kosovo Olympic team arrives during the opening ceremony for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Stadium in Daegwalnyeong, South Korea, on February 9. It was the first time the country participated in a Winter Games since declaring independence File February 17, 2008. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
The Kosovo Olympic team arrives during the opening ceremony for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Stadium in Daegwalnyeong, South Korea, on February 9. It was the first time the country participated in a Winter Games since declaring independence File February 17, 2008. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
File Photo by Greg Mathieson/UPI
File Photo by Greg Mathieson/UPI

In 2006, a landslide that covered a village in Leyte in the central Philippines killed more than 1,100 people, including scores of children in an elementary school that was buried by mud and boulders.

On February 17, 1933, Newsweek magazine published its first issue. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
On February 17, 1933, Newsweek magazine published its first issue. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

In 2008, the province of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. Thousands of ethnic Albanians celebrated in the streets but others resorted to violent protest. The United States and several other countries, including Britain, Germany and France, recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state.

In 2009, General Motors and Chrysler asked for an additional $14 billion from the government to keep from going bankrupt. That upped their total requests to $39 billion.

In 2011, the British government advised same-sex couples they could form civil partnerships in church if they wished.

In 2014, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon made its debut on NBC.

In 2023, a gunman shot and killed six people at three locations in the small community of Arkabutla, Miss., including his ex-wife, stepfather, his stepfather's sister and cousin, a family friend and a person to whom he had no connection. Police arrested Richard Crum for the shooting, and state prosecutors were seeking the death penalty.