Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Thackeray's Passing Halts Mumbai, Schwarzenegger Governs California, Suez Canal Opens
On November 17th, three big things happened!
In India, a very important political leader named Bal Thackeray, who was 86 years old, passed away.
He was the boss of a political group called Shiv Sena, and when he died, his city, Mumbai, almost stopped working because so many people were sad and wanted to pay their respects.
Also on this day, a famous movie actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was in movies like The Terminator, became the leader, or governor, of California in the United States.
He was elected because people wanted a change.
Lastly, a very long time ago in 1869, a super important waterway called the Suez Canal was opened in Egypt.
This canal connects two big seas, making it much faster to ship things between Europe and Asia, which changed how countries traded.
Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena founder, passed away on November 17, 2012, causing Mumbai to shut down.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was inaugurated as California's 38th governor on the same day in 2003.
The Suez Canal, a major maritime route, was officially inaugurated on November 17, 1869.
- Who
- Bal Thackeray, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ferdinand de Lesseps
- What
- Bal Thackeray died, Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor, Suez Canal opened
- When
- November 17 (in 2012 for Thackeray's death, 2003 for Schwarzenegger's inauguration, 1869 for Suez Canal opening)
- Where
- Mumbai, California, Egypt
- Why
- Bal Thackeray's death marked the end of an era in Maharashtra politics. Arnold Schwarzenegger's election was due to voter dissatisfaction with the previous governor. The Suez Canal's opening transformed global trade.
- Bal Thackeray's Age at Death
- 86
- Arnold Schwarzenegger's Party
- Republican
- Suez Canal Length
- 193 kilometers (120 miles)