March 17

March 17, 1865: On Friday the 17th, the St. Patrick's day flood of the Genesee River destroys several buildings in the city of Rochester as the river flows through Main, Buffalo, Mill, Front, Exchange, and Arcade Streets to a depth in some places of 3 feet. Many residents were stranded until Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.

March 17, 1936:  The funeral service of George Eastman is held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.  The service was broadcast to thousands who attended and over WHAM radio station.  All Kodak factories around the world closed for the day in observance. 

Sources and Further Reading:

1. The Rochester Evening Express (March 20, 1865)
2. www.libraryweb.org: MANY ROADS TO FREEDOM: ROCHESTER IN APRIL, 1865
3. History of Rochester and Monroe County, New York (1908); Peck, William F.; page 89-95
4. "Eastman Rites are Broadcast", Mar 17, 1936, The Pomona Progress Bulletin, Pomona CA, page 15.