1904, 17 February
"Silent Ones" uprising breaks out in Asaba, Nigeria, in an attempt to overthrow white rule.
1982, 17 February
Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Zimbabwe Prime Minister, dismisses coalition partner Joshua Mqabuko Nyangolo Nkomo from his cabinet. This follows the discovery of arms cashes on farms owned by Nkomo – Mugabe has accused him of plotting a coup.
