Born on this day 1863 in Chorlton on Medlock, Manchester (of Welsh parents) 

David Lloyd George 

Born David George, his father William George was a  schoolmaster who died when David was three, so his mother Elizabeth took him and his brother Richard  to her native Llanystumdwy, Caernarfonshire, where he was strongly influenced by his uncle Richard Lloyd, a minister and political activist in North Wales, David later adding his uncle's surname to his own, to become David Lloyd George.  

Lloyd George became a solicitor, in 1884 and also took an active part in local politics, he was a lifelong Welsh nationalist and joined the Liberal Party, who after being  badly defeated in 1886, were looking for a new generation of young enthusiastic politicians, Lloyd George fitted the bill and rose rapidly through the ranks, firstly becoming the Liberal MP for Carnarvon Boroughs in 1890, before being made chancellor of the exchequer by Herbert Asquith in 1908.  The following year he introduced his famous "Peoples Budget" imposing increased taxes on the nation's rich landowners, who were well represented in the House of Lords and vetoed the budget.  The budget eventually passed, which resulted in the House of Lords losing their power of veto.

During the early stages of World War One, Lloyd George was put in charge of the  Ministry of Munitions then made secretary for war and finally prime minister at the head of a coalition government with the Conservatives and after the successful conclusion of the war, famously became known as "the man who won the war".  He was politically untouchable, even though he was a Liberal leading a predominantly Conservative party.  From 1919 to 1922, however, his government steadily weakened and there was increased conservative hostility towards Lloyd George personally who they accused of arrogance and disliked his strong support of Irish Home Rule, however, the botched Chanak Crisis of 1922 was the final straw and the Conservatives revolted, forcing Lloyd George to resign.

During World War Two, he twice turned down offers from Churchill to join the wartime cabinet and became alienated because of his support for the policy of appeasement with Germany.  

He married Margaret (Maggie) Owen, a local farmer's daughter, in 1888 who refused to live in London preferring to live in Criccieth and raise their five children.  Lloyd George's affairs with other women were notorious, including his London secretary Frances Stevenson who he married in 1943, two years after Margaret's death.  He was made Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor in 1944 and died on 26th March 1945, 

Although he is remembered mostly for his contribution to winning the First World War, he is also regarded as one of the great reforming British chancellors of the 20th century and his legacy includes, laying the foundation of the welfare state, increasing council house building, improving pensions and raising the school leaving to 14.  Lloyd George possessed eloquence; extraordinary charm and persuasiveness and was a revered and well-respected opponent in the Houses of Parliament where he was nicknamed the "Welsh Wizard".  

Following the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in 1282, Wales was annexed by King Edward I of England and in 1293, Sir Roger de Puleston was appointed High Sheriff of Anglesey, tasked with imposing new English taxes (one fifteenth of all moveables).  These were unsurprisingly unpopular with the Welsh and led to discontent.  On 17th January 1294 following a raid on Caernarvon borough by de Puleston, a riot ensued during which de Puleston was seized and put to death.  

On 17th January 1941, 58 people were killed in air raids on Swansea. 

Born on this day 1940 in Ynysybwl.

Leighton Rees -  the first ever World Professional Darts Champion and also a member of the inaugural World Darts Cup winning team in 1977.  

The Blizzard of 1881 (17–18 January 1881) was one of the most severe blizzards ever to hit Wales.  At least five people froze to death and all transport and industry came to a standstill.

A low-pressure system rapidly developed in the English Channel, causing snowfalls and as the system deepened and moved through the Channel, gale force easterly winds caused blizzards and drifts of snow, tens of feet high.

Born on this day 1909 in Abertillery.

Sandy Griffiths - football referee who was the first Welshman to referee, an international at Wembley,  an FA Cup Final, (the 1953 FA Cup Final, otherwise known as the Matthews Final) and to appear in a World Cup final ( as a linesman, when West Germany beat Hungary in the 1954 final)  

On 17th January 1920, in a 19-5 win over England, Jerry Shea achieved the first international scoring "Full House"; try, penalty goal, conversion and drop goal.

Shea, born in Newport (12 August 1892 – 30 June 1947) was a Welsh international dual-code rugby centre, who was also an accomplished swimmer and professional boxer.