October 17

1604 – Astronomer Johannes Kepler observes that "an exceptionally bright star" suddenly appeared in the constellation "Ophiuchus."

• It turns out to be the last supernova to be observed by a Human, on Earth, with the naked eye. It is later referred to as "Kepler's Supernova."
  

1933 – Albert Einstein flees Nazi Germany and moves to the United States.

1956 – Astronaut, physician, and engineer Mae C. Jemison is born. She is noted for being the first African-American woman in space.

• (She was also the first astronaut to appear in a Star Trek TV episode!)