April 17 is an important day in New Hampshire history, with significant events ranging from American Revolution battles to major shipping disasters. Here are five interesting facts about April 17 in New Hampshire history:

1. On April 17, 1775, a group of New Hampshire colonists under the leadership of John Sullivan captured Fort William and Mary in Portsmouth, a key British fortification in the region. This action provided valuable supplies and munitions to the colonial forces in the early days of the American Revolution.

2. The historic town of Plymouth, New Hampshire, celebrated its bicentennial on April 17, 1963. Founded in 1763, Plymouth is home to Plymouth State University and has a rich history as a hub for logging, manufacturing, and tourism.

3. On April 17, 1947, the SS Grandcamp, a cargo ship carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer, exploded in the harbor of Texas City, Texas, killing over 500 people and injuring thousands more. Among the dead were several crew members from New Hampshire.

4. In 1905, the New Hampshire State Board of Agriculture issued a report on the establishment of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, a research facility focusing on agriculture and forestry. The station was established in the wake of declining agricultural productivity and an increasing need for scientific approaches to farming.

5. On April 17, 1929, the town of New Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was formally renamed Newington, in honor of the English city of the same name. Today, Newington is primarily known as the home of the Pease International Tradeport, a former military base that now houses a variety of commercial and industrial businesses.