March 27 stands as a significant date in history, marked by a range of pivotal events across centuries. From groundbreaking political decisions to devastating natural disasters, this day has witnessed moments that shaped the world. Technological milestones and cultural icons also trace their origins to this date. What specific events left their mark on March 27? Uncover the stories that define this day in time.
History
Major Historical Events
1866 – President Andrew Johnson Vetoes Civil Rights Bill: On this day, U.S. President Andrew Johnson vetoed the Civil Rights Bill, which aimed to protect the rights of African Americans following the Civil War. Congress later overrode the veto, marking a important step toward racial equality during Reconstruction.
1915 – Typhoid Mary Quarantined: Mary Mallon, known as “Typhoid Mary,” was placed in quarantine for the second time on March 27 after being identified as a carrier of typhoid fever. She spent the rest of her life in isolation on North Brother Island in New York, highlighting early public health challenges.
1964 – Great Alaska Earthquake: The most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America struck Alaska on this date, registering a magnitude of 9.2. The disaster caused widespread destruction, triggered tsunamis, and resulted in 131 deaths, reshaping the region’s landscape and infrastructure.
1977 – Tenerife Airport Disaster: Two Boeing 747s collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport in Tenerife, Canary Islands, on March 27, resulting in the deadliest aviation accident in history. A total of 583 lives were lost due to miscommunication and foggy conditions.
1998 – FDA Approves Viagra: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra, the first oral treatment for erectile dysfunction, on this day. Developed by Pfizer, the drug became a cultural phenomenon and revolutionized medical treatment for millions worldwide.
Famous Birthdays
1963 – Quentin Tarantino: Acclaimed American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino was born on this day in Knoxville, Tennessee. Known for his unique storytelling and films like *Pulp Fiction* and *Kill Bill*, Tarantino has left an indelible mark on modern cinema.
1970 – Mariah Carey: Pop icon Mariah Carey was born in Huntington, New York, on March 27. With a five-octave vocal range and hits like “Vision of Love,” she became one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
1975 – Fergie: Stacy Ann Ferguson, better known as Fergie, was born on this day in Hacienda Heights, California. A member of the Black Eyed Peas and a successful solo artist, she is celebrated for songs like “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”
1988 – Jessie J: English singer-songwriter Jessie J, born Jessica Ellen Cornish, came into the world on March 27 in London. Known for her powerful voice and hits like “Price Tag,” she has made a notable impact on pop music.
Notable Deaths
1871 – Archibald Scott Couper: Scottish chemist Archibald Scott Couper passed away on this day. He made important contributions to the understanding of chemical bonding and molecular structure, influencing modern chemistry despite a short career.
1968 – Yuri Gagarin: Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey into outer space, tragically died on March 27 during a routine training flight crash in Russia. His historic 1961 spaceflight remains a important achievement.
2002 – Billy Wilder: Legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder died on this day in Beverly Hills, California. Known for classics like *Sunset Boulevard* and *Some Like It Hot*, Wilder’s work shaped Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Today in Music History
1958 – First Gold Record for an LP: On this day, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded its first Gold Record for an LP to the soundtrack of *My Fair Lady*, marking a milestone in recognizing album sales achievements.
1967 – Beatles’ *Sgt. Pepper’s* Cover Photoshoot: The iconic cover for The Beatles’ album *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band* was photographed on March 27. Featuring a collage of cultural figures, it became one of the most recognizable album covers in history.
1973 – Rolling Stones’ Album Release: The Rolling Stones released their album *Goats Head Soup* in some regions on this date, featuring the hit single “Angie.” The album further solidified their status as rock legends.
1995 – Elton John and Tim Rice Win Oscar: On March 27, Elton John and Tim Rice won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from Disney’s *The Lion King*, showcasing their storytelling through music.
Today in Sports History
1939 – First NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: The inaugural NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game was held on March 27, with Oregon defeating Ohio State 46-33. This event laid the foundation for the iconic March Madness tournament.
1973 – George Foreman Defends Title: Heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman defended his title on this day by knocking out Ken Norton in the second round in Caracas, Venezuela, showcasing his dominance in the ring.
1997 – Martin Brodeur’s Milestone: New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur became the second NHL goalie to score a goal in a regular-season game on March 27, achieving this rare feat during a match against the Montreal Canadiens.
Today in Military and Naval History
1794 – U.S. Navy Established: On this day, the United States Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794, authorizing the construction of six frigates and officially establishing the U.S. Navy to protect American interests at sea.
1814 – Battle of Horseshoe Bend: During the Creek War, Andrew Jackson led American forces to victory over the Red Stick Creek faction on March 27 in what is now Alabama. This battle important weakened Native American resistance in the region.
1945 – Operation Starvation Begins: The U.S. Navy initiated Operation Starvation on this date during World War II, a campaign to mine Japanese waters and disrupt supply lines. This strategic move contributed to Japan’s eventual surrender.
Today in Tech and Science History
1884 – First Long-Distance Telephone Call: On March 27, the first long-distance telephone call was made between Boston and New York City, demonstrating the potential of Alexander Graham Bell’s invention to connect distant places.
1969 – Mariner 7 Launched: NASA launched the Mariner 7 spacecraft on this day, aimed at studying Mars. It provided detailed images of the Martian surface, advancing humanity’s understanding of the Red Planet.
2006 – Twitter’s First Tweet: Jack Dorsey sent the first-ever tweet on March 27, simply writing, “just setting up my twttr.” This marked the humble beginning of what would become a global social media platform.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1923 – *The Good Earth* Author Born: Pearl S. Buck, the American author of *The Good Earth*, was born on March 27. Her novel about Chinese peasant life won the Pulitzer Prize and contributed to her Nobel Prize in Literature.
1952 – *Singin’ in the Rain* Premiere: The classic musical film *Singin’ in the Rain*, starring Gene Kelly, premiered on this day in New York City. It remains one of the most beloved films in Hollywood history.
1979 – *Hair* Closes on Broadway: The groundbreaking rock musical *Hair* ended its original Broadway run on March 27 after 1,750 performances, having redefined theater with its countercultural themes.
2011 – *Game of Thrones* Teaser Released: On this day, HBO released a teaser trailer for *Game of Thrones*, building anticipation for the epic fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin’s books, which would captivate audiences worldwide.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1914 – First Successful Blood Transfusion in a Dog: On March 27, a successful blood transfusion was performed on a dog in Belgium, an odd but important milestone in veterinary medicine that later influenced human medical practices.
1976 – Queen Elizabeth Sends First Royal Email: On this day, Queen Elizabeth II became the first monarch to send an email while visiting a research facility in the UK, a quirky moment blending royalty with modern technology.
2007 – World’s Largest Chocolate Easter Egg: A massive chocolate Easter egg weighing over 4,000 pounds was revealed in Italy on March 27, setting a bizarre but sweet world record just in time for the holiday season.
Today in History for Kids
1794 – Birth of the U.S. Navy: A long time ago, on March 27, the United States decided to build a strong navy to protect ships and keep the country safe. They started making big boats called frigates, and that’s how the U.S. Navy was born!
1884 – Talking Far Away: Imagine talking to someone super far away with no cell phones! On this day, the first long-distance phone call happened between two big cities, Boston and New York, showing how cool inventions can connect people.
1964 – Big Alaska Shake: On March 27, a huge earthquake shook Alaska. It was so strong that houses fell down, and waves called tsunamis crashed on the shore. Scientists learned a lot about how to keep people safe after this.
2006 – First Tweet Ever: A man named Jack sent the very first message on Twitter on this day. It was short and simple, but it started a fun way for people all over the world to share ideas and talk to each other online.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1866 – A Presidential Veto Battle: Did you know that on March 27, President Andrew Johnson said “no” to a law that would help protect African Americans’ rights, but Congress fought back and made it a law anyway? It was a big moment for fairness.
1915 – The Story of Typhoid Mary: On this day, a woman named Mary Mallon was locked away because she spread a dangerous sickness without even knowing it. Her story teaches us how important health rules are!
1977 – A Sad Airport Day: The worst airplane crash ever happened on March 27 in Tenerife when two planes hit each other on a foggy runway. It reminds us why safety and clear talking are so important when flying.
1998 – A Little Blue Pill: On March 27, a medicine called Viagra got approved, helping lots of people with a health problem. It became so famous that even people who didn’t need it knew about it!
2006 – Twitter Takes Off: The first tweet was sent on this day, starting a website where people share quick thoughts. Can you guess how many tweets are sent every day now? It’s in the millions!