November 27 has witnessed a range of pivotal events across history, from political unions and wartime decisions to groundbreaking cultural moments. Significant milestones include the 1840 Act of Union in Canada and the tragic scuttling of the French fleet in 1942. Births of influential figures and notable achievements also mark this date. Curious about the full scope of these moments? There’s much more to uncover.
History
Major Historical Events
1840 – The Founding of the Province of Canada: On this day, the British government passed the Act of Union, which merged Upper and Lower Canada into a single Province of Canada.
This act, effective in 1841, was a response to the Rebellions of 1837-1838 and aimed to assimilate the French-speaking population while creating a more centralized government structure.
1919 – The Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine Signed: Bulgaria and the Allied Powers signed the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine in France, officially ending Bulgaria’s involvement in World War I.
The treaty imposed severe territorial losses, reparations, and military restrictions on Bulgaria, reshaping the Balkan region.
1942 – The French Navy Scuttles Its Fleet at Toulon: During World War II, French naval commanders ordered the scuttling of their fleet in Toulon to prevent it from falling into German hands after the Nazi occupation of Vichy France.
Over 70 ships were sunk in a dramatic act of defiance against Axis control.
1971 – Mars 2 Becomes First Spacecraft to Crash-Land on Mars: The Soviet Union’s Mars 2 spacecraft became the first human-made object to reach the surface of Mars, though it crash-landed due to a malfunction.
Despite the failure, this mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration history.
2005 – First Face Transplant Performed in France: Surgeons in Amiens, France, performed the world’s first partial face transplant on Isabelle Dinoire, who had suffered severe facial injuries from a dog attack.
This groundbreaking procedure opened new possibilities in reconstructive surgery.
Famous Birthdays
1701 – Anders Celsius: The Swedish astronomer, physicist, and mathematician Anders Celsius was born on this day in Uppsala, Sweden.
He is best known for developing the Celsius temperature scale, which remains a standard unit of measurement worldwide.
1940 – Bruce Lee: Legendary martial artist, actor, and filmmaker Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco, California.
Known for iconic films like “Enter the Dragon,” Lee revolutionized martial arts cinema and became a global cultural icon.
1942 – Jimi Hendrix: American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest electric guitarists in history, his innovative style and hits like “Purple Haze” left an indelible mark on music.
1957 – Caroline Kennedy: Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was born in New York City.
She has served as a diplomat, author, and public figure, especially as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2013 to 2017.
1973 – Samantha Harris: American television host and model Samantha Harris was born in Hopkins, Minnesota.
She gained fame as a co-host on “Dancing with the Stars” and has also worked as a correspondent for “Entertainment Tonight.”
Notable Deaths
1895 – Alexandre Dumas, fils: French writer and dramatist Alexandre Dumas, fils, passed away on this day in Marly-le-Roi, France.
The son of the famous Alexandre Dumas, he was known for his play “La Dame aux Camélias,” which inspired Verdi’s opera “La Traviata.”
1934 – Baby Face Nelson: Notorious American bank robber and gangster Baby Face Nelson, born Lester Joseph Gillis, was killed in a shootout with FBI agents in Barrington, Illinois.
He was a key figure in the criminal underworld during the Great Depression.
1978 – Harvey Milk: American politician and gay rights activist Harvey Milk was assassinated in San Francisco, California, along with Mayor George Moscone, by former city supervisor Dan White.
Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States.
2011 – Ken Russell: British film director Ken Russell died on this day in London, England.
Known for his provocative and visually striking films like “Women in Love” and “Tommy,” Russell pushed boundaries in cinematic storytelling.
Today in Music History
1942 – Jimi Hendrix’s Birth: As mentioned earlier, rock legend Jimi Hendrix was born on this day in Seattle, Washington.
His groundbreaking guitar techniques and albums like “Are You Experienced” transformed rock music forever.
1967 – The Beatles Release “Magical Mystery Tour” in the U.S.: The Beatles released their album “Magical Mystery Tour” in the United States on this day, featuring iconic tracks like “I Am the Walrus” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Initially tied to a television film, the album became a psychedelic masterpiece.
1997 – Oasis Releases “Be Here Now” Singles: British rock band Oasis released two singles, “Stand by Me” and “Don’t Go Away,” from their album “Be Here Now” on this day in some regions.
These tracks further solidified their status as Britpop giants during the 1990s.
Today in Sports History
1924 – First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Broadcast on Radio: While not a traditional sport, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, held in New York City, was broadcast on radio on this day, marking the start of a cultural event often tied to sports broadcasts like football on Thanksgiving.
1960 – Gordie Howe Sets NHL Record: Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe became the first player in NHL history to score 1,000 career points on this day during a game with the Detroit Red Wings.
His longevity and skill made him an icon in the sport.
2009 – Tiger Woods Car Accident: Golfer Tiger Woods was involved in a car accident near his home in Florida on this day, an incident that sparked intense media scrutiny and marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in his personal and professional life.
Today in Military and Naval History
1815 – Adoption of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Poland: On this day, Tsar Alexander I of Russia signed the constitution for the Kingdom of Poland, a puppet state under Russian control following the Napoleonic Wars.
This act was part of broader military and political restructuring in Europe.
1942 – Scuttling of the French Fleet at Toulon: As previously noted, the French Navy scuttled over 70 ships in Toulon on this day during World War II to prevent their capture by German forces, a pivotal moment in naval resistance against Axis powers.
1970 – Attempted Coup in Ethiopia: An attempted military coup against Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was thwarted on this day.
The failed uprising by elements of the Imperial Guard reflected growing unrest that would later lead to the emperor’s overthrow.
Today in Tech and Science History
1895 – Alfred Nobel Signs His Will: On this day, Swedish chemist and inventor Alfred Nobel signed his last will and document in Paris, establishing the Nobel Prizes.
His fortune, derived from inventing dynamite, funds awards in science, literature, and peace.
1971 – Mars 2 Crash-Lands on Mars: As mentioned earlier, the Soviet spacecraft Mars 2 crash-landed on Mars on this day, becoming the first human-made object to reach the planet’s surface, even though the mission did not achieve its full objectives.
2005 – First Face Transplant Surgery: The pioneering partial face transplant performed in France on this day marked a historic achievement in medical science, showcasing advancements in surgical techniques and tissue transplantation.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1852 – Ada Lovelace’s Notes on Computing Published: Although Ada Lovelace, often considered the first computer programmer, died on this day, her notes on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, published earlier, continued to influence discussions on computing concepts well into modern times.
1924 – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Begins: The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City on this day, becoming a cultural tradition that blends art, performance, and community celebration, often featuring elaborate floats and balloons.
1953 – Eugene O’Neill’s Death: American playwright Eugene O’Neill, a Nobel Prize winner for Literature, passed away on this day in Boston, Massachusetts.
His works, including “Long Day’s Journey into Night,” remain cornerstones of American theater.
1978 – Harvey Milk’s Assassination: The tragic assassination of Harvey Milk on this day in San Francisco was not only a political event but also a cultural turning point, galvanizing the gay rights movement and inspiring countless works of art and literature.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1835 – First Recorded Use of “Texas” as a Nickname: On this day, a newspaper in New Orleans referred to the region of Texas by its name in a quirky context, marking one of the earliest recorded uses of the term as a cultural identifier during its fight for independence from Mexico.
1924 – Macy’s Parade Mishap: During the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on this day, several of the large animal balloons popped or veered off course, creating humorous chaos for spectators and organizers in New York City.
1971 – Mars 2’s Unlucky Landing: The Soviet Mars 2 spacecraft’s crash-landing on Mars on this day was a bit of a cosmic blooper—intended as a triumphant moment, it instead became a reminder of how tricky space exploration can be.
Today in History for Kids
1701 – Anders Celsius is Born: A super-smart scientist named Anders Celsius was born on this day in Sweden.
He invented a way to measure temperature that we still use today, called the Celsius scale.
Next time you check the weather, think of him!
1940 – Bruce Lee’s Birthday: Bruce Lee, a famous movie star and martial arts expert, was born on this day.
He could do amazing kicks and punches and taught the world about kung fu through his exciting films.
1942 – Jimi Hendrix Rocks the World: Jimi Hendrix, one of the best guitar players ever, was born on this day in the United States.
He played music that made everyone want to dance and still inspires musicians today.
1971 – A Spacecraft Crashes on Mars: A space machine called Mars 2 tried to land on Mars on this day, but it crashed instead.
Even though it didn’t work perfectly, it was the first time something made by humans touched Mars!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – Oldest Thanksgiving Parade Connection: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which started on this day in 1924, wasn’t always called that—it was originally the “Macy’s Christmas Parade” to kick off the holiday shopping season with a festive flair.
Did You Know? – Bruce Lee’s Unique Skill: Born on this day in 1940, Bruce Lee was so fast with his punches that film cameras often had to slow down footage to capture his moves, making him seem almost superhuman on screen.
Did You Know? – Mars 2’s Silent Crash: When Mars 2 crash-landed on November 27, 1971, it carried a small Soviet flag and a medallion, but since the mission failed, no one on Earth knew exactly where those items ended up on Mars for decades.
Did You Know? – Nobel’s Surprise Legacy: Alfred Nobel, who signed his will on this day in 1895, shocked his family by leaving most of his fortune to create the Nobel Prizes instead of passing it directly to his relatives, changing the course of science and peace awards forever.