On this day - 17th May

1630   Italian Jesuit Niccolo Zucchi saw the belts on Jupiter's surface

1756   Britain declared war on France, beginning the French and Indian War.

1861   The first colour photograph is exhibited at the Royal Institution in London

1861   Thomas Cook of London organize the first „package holiday“ , when a group of British workers and their families set off for Paris. Channel crossing, hotel accommodation and meals were included in the price.

1948   The Soviet Union recognized the new state of Israel.