Seeds of Fire: A People’s Chronology

Recalling events that happened on this day in history.
Memories of struggle, resistance and persistence.

Compiled by Ulli Diemer

February 17, 1600
Giordano Bruno (1548-1600) is burned at the stake after being convicted of heresy by the Roman Catholic Church. Bruno, a mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, came to believe that the earth revolves around the sun, that the sun is just one of many stars, and that the universe contains other inhabited planets with intelligent life – ideas totally unacceptable to the Church. The Church first imprisons him for seven years, then, when he still refuses to recant his beliefs, burns him to death and dumps his ashes in the Tiber River. Related Topics: Execution – Religious Persecution – Roman Catholic Church – Science/History & Philosophy of
February 17, 1942
Birth of Huey P. Newton (1942-1989), African-American political activist, co-founder of the Black Panther Party. Related Topics: Black History & Identity – Black Panthers – Black Power
February 17, 1958
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) holds its inaugural public meeting, attended by five thousand people, in London. After the meeting several hundred go to protest in Downing Street. Related Topics: Anti-Nuclear Movement – Anti-War Movement – Grassroots Peace Activists – Nuclear Disarmament – Peace Movement