1. In 1810, the Ohio University was founded in Athens, Ohio. It was the first institution of higher education in the state and one of the oldest in the country.

2. On October 17, 1933, Cleveland Stadium, also known as Municipal Stadium, opened in Cleveland. The stadium was the home of the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns and hosted many historic events, including two World Series and several NFL Championship games.

3. In 1957, the first Waffle House restaurant opened in Avondale Estates, Georgia. The chain, which is now headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, has over 2,000 locations across the United States, including many in Ohio.

4. The Ohio State Buckeyes football team has played several memorable games on October 17 over the years, including a 56-0 victory over Northwestern in 1953 and a 31-0 win over Michigan State in 1992.

5. On October 17, 1977, the city of Cincinnati elected its first African American mayor, Charlie Luken. Luken served as mayor until 1980 and was later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.