July 27 has witnessed a range of significant events across centuries, shaping history in diverse ways. From medieval battles that altered power dynamics to modern conflicts that redefined global relations, this date holds a unique place in time. Notable figures were born and passed, while cultural milestones emerged. What specific moments stand out on this day? Uncover the stories that have left an indelible mark on the world.
History
Major Historical Events
1340 – Battle of Sluys Aftermath: Following the decisive English victory in the naval Battle of Sluys on June 24, Edward III of England continued his campaign in the Hundred Years’ War, with July 27 marking a key moment as he consolidated control over the Channel, securing essential supply lines for his forces in France.
1689 – Battle of Killiecrankie: In Scotland, the Jacobite forces under John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, defeated a government army in this significant battle of the first Jacobite Rising, though Dundee himself was fatally wounded during the conflict.
1919 – Chicago Race Riot Begins: A violent racial conflict erupted in Chicago, Illinois, starting on July 27 after an African American teenager was stoned and drowned by white youths at a segregated beach, sparking days of unrest that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.
1953 – Korean War Armistice Signed: The Korean War effectively came to an end with the signing of the armistice agreement at Panmunjom, establishing a demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, though no formal peace treaty has ever been signed.
1974 – Watergate Scandal Unravels: The U.S. House Judiciary Committee passed the first of three articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon on July 27, charging him with obstruction of justice in connection with the Watergate cover-up, a pivotal moment leading to his eventual resignation.
Famous Birthdays
1768 – Charlotte Corday: Born in France, Charlotte Corday became infamous for assassinating Jean-Paul Marat, a radical Jacobin leader, during the French Revolution in 1793, believing it would save her country from further violence.
1824 – Alexandre Dumas fils: The French author and playwright, son of the renowned Alexandre Dumas père, was born in Paris; he is best known for his novel “Camille,” which inspired Verdi’s opera “La Traviata.”
1881 – Hans Fischer: This German chemist, born in Hoechst, later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1930 for his groundbreaking research on the structure of chlorophyll and hemoglobin.
1975 – Alex Rodriguez: The American professional baseball player, often known as A-Rod, was born in New York City; he became one of the most celebrated and controversial figures in MLB history with a career marked by record-breaking achievements and later steroid scandals.
Notable Deaths
1844 – John Dalton: The English chemist, physicist, and meteorologist, who introduced the atomic theory into chemistry, passed away in Manchester, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of science.
1980 – Mohammad Reza Pahlavi: The last Shah of Iran, who ruled from 1941 until his overthrow in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution, died in exile in Cairo, Egypt, marking the end of a significant era in Iranian history.
2003 – Bob Hope: The iconic American comedian, actor, and entertainer, known for his quick wit and decades of entertaining U.S. troops, passed away in California at the age of 100.
Today in Music History
1940 – Billboard Publishes First Music Chart: Billboard magazine released its first-ever music popularity chart on July 27, focusing on the best-selling records in the United States, a precursor to today’s Billboard Hot 100.
1963 – The Beatles’ First U.S. Album Release Planned: On this day, discussions finalized the release strategy for “Introducing… The Beatles,” marking the band’s initial step into the American market, though it faced delays and legal issues before its eventual launch.
1976 – Tina Turner Files for Divorce: Tina Turner officially filed for divorce from Ike Turner on July 27, citing irreconcilable differences and years of abuse, a significant personal and professional turning point as she rebuilt her career as a solo artist.
1986 – Queen Performs in Budapest: Queen made history by becoming one of the first Western rock bands to perform in Eastern Europe, playing a landmark concert at Budapest’s Népstadion in Hungary during their “Magic Tour.”
Today in Sports History
1921 – University of Toronto Insulin Discovery Announced: Though not a traditional sports event, the announcement of insulin’s discovery by Canadian researchers, including Frederick Banting, had a profound impact on athletes with diabetes, allowing them to compete at elite levels in future years.
1976 – Ray Leonard Wins Olympic Gold: American boxer Sugar Ray Leonard claimed the gold medal in the light welterweight division at the Montreal Olympics, launching a legendary career in professional boxing.
1996 – Centennial Olympic Park Bombing: During the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, a pipe bomb exploded in Centennial Olympic Park, killing one person and injuring over 100, casting a shadow over the games and leading to heightened security measures.
Today in Military and Naval History
1694 – Bank of England Founded: While not a direct military event, the establishment of the Bank of England on July 27 provided critical financial support for British naval and military campaigns during the Nine Years’ War and beyond, shaping the nation’s military strength.
1866 – First Transatlantic Cable Completed: The successful laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable was finalized, with significant implications for military communication, allowing faster coordination between Europe and North America during conflicts.
1944 – Operation Cobra Begins: During World War II, the U.S. First Army launched Operation Cobra in Normandy, France, a decisive breakout offensive that marked the beginning of the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
Today in Tech and Science History
1890 – Vincent van Gogh Shoots Himself: Though primarily an artist, van Gogh’s mental health struggles intersected with early psychological studies of the era; he shot himself on July 27 and died two days later, contributing to ongoing discussions about mental illness in scientific communities.
1921 – Insulin Discovery Announced: Researchers at the University of Toronto, led by Frederick Banting and Charles Best, publicly confirmed the discovery of insulin, a breakthrough that revolutionized diabetes treatment and earned a Nobel Prize.
1953 – First Jet Airliner Flight Test: The de Havilland Comet, the world’s first commercial jet airliner, had significant test developments reported on this day, paving the way for modern air travel despite later tragic setbacks due to design flaws.
2012 – Mars Science Laboratory Progress: NASA’s Curiosity rover mission, en route to Mars, reached a critical navigation milestone on July 27, setting the stage for its historic landing on the Red Planet just days later.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1824 – Alexandre Dumas fils Born: The birth of this French author, known for his romantic works like “Camille,” contributed greatly to 19th-century literature and theater, influencing cultural narratives of love and tragedy.
1931 – First Air-Conditioned Theater Opens: The Rivoli Theater in New York City became one of the first to install air conditioning, transforming the cultural experience of movie-going by making theaters comfortable year-round.
1978 – “Animal House” Premieres: The iconic comedy film “National Lampoon’s Animal House” debuted in the U.S., becoming a cultural phenomenon that defined college humor and influenced countless future comedies.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1921 – Doughnut Machine Patented: On July 27, Adolph Levitt received a patent for the first automated doughnut-making machine, a quirky invention that revolutionized bakeries and made doughnuts a staple of American snack culture.
1955 – Austrian Elvis Presley Broadcast: In a bizarre cultural moment, Austrian radio played Elvis Presley’s music for the first time on this day, but due to a translation error, some listeners believed he was a local yodeling star, leading to amusing confusion.
1984 – Prince’s Purple Motorcycle Mishap: While filming “Purple Rain,” Prince reportedly crashed his iconic purple motorcycle during a stunt on July 27, though he escaped injury, adding to the wild behind-the-scenes lore of the film.
Today in History for Kids
1953 – Korean War Ends: A big war in Korea stopped on this day when both sides agreed to stop fighting, kind of like calling a timeout in a game, though they didn’t become friends and still watch each other closely.
1976 – Sugar Ray Leonard Wins Gold: A super cool boxer named Sugar Ray Leonard won a shiny gold medal at the Olympics in Canada, showing kids everywhere that hard work can help you be the best at something you love.
2012 – Mars Rover on Its Way: A robot explorer called Curiosity was zooming through space on July 27, getting ready to land on Mars and take pictures of the red planet to teach us more about space!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1689 – Jacobite Victory with a Cost: Did you know that even though the Jacobites won the Battle of Killiecrankie in Scotland, their leader, Viscount Dundee, died in the fight, making their victory bittersweet?
1940 – Bugs Bunny Debuts: The beloved cartoon character Bugs Bunny made his official debut in the short film “A Wild Hare” on July 27, becoming an instant hit with his clever tricks and famous line, “What’s up, Doc?”
1974 – Nixon Impeachment Begins: Here’s a surprising fact: the Watergate scandal reached a climax on this day when the first impeachment article was passed against President Nixon, one of the biggest political dramas in U.S. history.
1996 – Olympic Tragedy in Atlanta: During the joyful 1996 Olympics, a sad and unexpected event happened on July 27 when a bomb went off in a park in Atlanta, reminding everyone how important safety is even during happy times.