View Historical Events by Day: What Happened Today in History: March 17

Commodus, Roman Emperor, makes his son Commodus co-emperor.

Harald Hardrada becomes King of Norway after the death of Magnus I.

King Baldwin I of Jerusalem dies.

King Robert II of Scotland is crowned, beginning the Stuart dynasty.

Siege of Falaise: English forces under Richard II fail to capture the town of Falaise in Normandy.

Tamerlane captures the city of Damascus, strengthening his influence in the region.

Magellan and his crew first came into contact with inhabitants of the Homonhon Island, which would later become part of the archipelago known as the Philippines. Five weeks later, on April 27 Magellan was mortally wounded by the warriors of island chief Lapu-Lapu during a battle on the island of Mactan in the Philippines. He died at the age of 41.

Ferdinand I succeeds his father, Charles V, as Holy Roman Emperor.

England's House of Commons passes an act abolishing the House of Lords.

British forces evacuate Boston during the American Revolutionary War.

Sir Ralph Abercromby lands in Egypt with British troops during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Sir Ralph Abercromby lands in Egypt with British troops during the French Revolutionary Wars.

The Kingdom of Bavaria becomes the first German state to adopt a constitution.