Timeline June 1917

Events in June 1917 13

• 1917 French Army mutinies Widespread refusals to attack follow failed Nivelle Offensive After catastrophic losses in the Nivelle Offensive, tens of thousands of French soldiers refused to take part in further attacks, though most continued defensive duties. General Philippe Petain restored order through a mix of reforms to conditions and selective courts-martial.
• 1917 The French army mutinies Western Front Units in around half the French divisions refused to attack, though most kept defending the line. Pétain restored order with leave, better food, and 43 executions. The Germans never learned how bad it was.
• 1917 – 2015 Kirk Kerkorian (1917-2015) Died 15 June 2015, aged 98 Kirk Kerkorian was an American businessman and investor who built much of the Las Vegas Strip, developing several of the city's largest hotel-casinos including the MGM Grand. He also acquired and later sold Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios multiple times over his career. Kerkorian was one of the most influential figures in the history of Las Vegas.
• 1917 Battle of Messines British mines devastate German lines in Flanders British and Commonwealth forces detonated a series of massive underground mines beneath German positions near Messines, one of the largest planned explosions in history to that point. The attack captured the ridge with comparatively limited casualties before the wider Passchendaele campaign began.
• 1917 – 1995 Dean Martin (1917-1995) Died 25 December 1995, aged 78 Dean Martin was an American singer and actor, a member of the Rat Pack alongside Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., and a fixture of Las Vegas entertainment. He had a long comedy partnership with Jerry Lewis before pursuing a solo career in film and music. His relaxed crooning style produced enduring hits such as That's Amore.
• 1917 – 2000 Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) Died 3 December 2000, aged 83 Gwendolyn Brooks was an American poet who chronicled everyday Black life on Chicago's South Side. In 1950 she became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize, for the collection Annie Allen. She later served as poet laureate of Illinois and as consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress.
• 1917 The mines at Messines Messines, Belgium Nineteen mines holding 450 tonnes of explosive were detonated under the German lines at once. The sound was heard in London, and around 10,000 German soldiers died instantly.
• 1917 US Espionage Act enacted Wartime law criminalizes interference with military operations Congress passed the Espionage Act shortly after the US entered the war, criminalizing interference with military recruitment and the disclosure of information deemed harmful to national defense. Amended and invoked repeatedly since, it remains a central tool in American national security prosecutions.
• 1917 Kerensky Offensive Russia's last major offensive of the war collapses The Russian Provisional Government launched an offensive against Austro-German forces in Galicia, hoping to rally war-weary troops. Initial gains quickly reversed into a chaotic retreat, accelerating the collapse of army discipline that helped set the stage for the Bolshevik seizure of power.
• 1917 – 2010 Lena Horne (1917-2010) American singer, actress and civil rights activist, star of Stormy Weather.
• 1917 Lena Horne born in Brooklyn Lena Horne is born in Brooklyn.
• 1917 – 1975 Susan Hayward (1917-1975) American actress known for intense dramatic roles and five Oscar nominations, winning for I Want to Live!
• 1917 Susan Hayward born in Brooklyn Susan Hayward is born in Brooklyn.