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On This Day in History — August 27
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Highlights of August 27
- 2013 — Religious violence between Hindus and Muslims erupted in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India, leaving 62 people dead. Read more
- 2009 — The Myanmar military junta and ethnic armies began three days of violent clashes in the region of Kokang. Read more
- 2006 — Comair Flight 5191 crashed (wreckage pictured) while inadvertently attempting to take off from the wrong runway at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49 of the 50 people on board, and causing the Federal Aviation Administration to modify air traffic control rules. Read more
- 1990 — American musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the most influential guitarists in the revival of blues in the 1980s, was killed in a helicopter crash. Read more
- 1979 — The Troubles: the IRA ambushed and killed 18 British soldiers near Warrenpoint, and assassinated Lord Mountbatten on his boat at Mullaghmore. Read more
- 1964 — South Vietnamese junta leader Nguyễn Khánh entered into a triumvirate power-sharing arrangement with rival generals Trần Thiện Khiêm and Dương Văn Minh, both of whom had been involved in plots to unseat Khánh. Read more
- 1955 — The first edition of the Guinness Book of Records was published. Read more
- 1896 — In the shortest recorded war in history, the Sultanate of Zanzibar surrendered to the United Kingdom after less than an hour of conflict. Read more
- 1859 — Edwin Drake successfully drilled for oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania, resulting in the Pennsylvania oil rush, the first oil boom in the United States. Read more
- 1832 — Black Hawk (pictured), the leader of the Sauk tribe of Native Americans, surrendered to U.S. authorities to end the Black Hawk War. Read more
- 1810 — Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy defeated the Royal Navy, preventing them from capturing the harbour of Grand Port on Mauritius. Read more
- 1776 — British forces led by William Howe defeated the Continental Army under George Washington at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War. Read more
- 1656 — The Netherlands and the Ahanta people signed the Treaty of Butre, creating a Dutch protectorate over the country of Upper Ahanta in modern-day Ghana. Read more
- 410 — The sacking of Rome by the Visigoths ended after three days. Read more
Events
- 2011 — Hurricane Irene strikes the United States east coast, killing 47 and causing an estimated $15.6 billion in damage. Read more
- 2009 — Internal conflict in Myanmar: The Burmese military junta and ethnic armies begin three days of violent clashes in the Kokang Special Region. Read more
- 2006 — Comair Flight 5191 crashes on takeoff from Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, bound for Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Of the passengers and crew, 49 of 50 are confirmed dead in the hours following the crash. Read more
- 2003 — Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing 34,646,418 miles (55,758,005 km) distant. Read more
- 2003 — The first six-party talks, involving South and North Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia, convene to find a peaceful resolution to the security concerns of the North Korean nuclear weapons program. Read more
- 1992 — Aeroflot Flight 2808 crashes in Lebyazhy Lug during approach to Ivanovo Yuzhny Airport, killing all 84 aboard. Read more
- 1991 — The European Community recognizes the independence of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Read more
- 1991 — Moldova declares independence from the USSR. Read more
- 1985 — Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria, is ousted from power in a coup d'état led by Major General Ibrahim Babangida. Read more
- 1985 — Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on STS-51-I to deploy three communication satellites and repair a fourth malfunctioning one. Read more
- 1982 — Turkish military diplomat Colonel Atilla Altıkat is shot and killed in Ottawa. Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide claim to be avenging the massacre of 1+1⁄2 million Armenians in the 1915 Armenian genocide. Read more
- 1980 — South Korean presidential election: After successfully staging the Coup d'état of May Seventeenth, General Chun Doo-hwan, running unopposed, has the National Conference for Unification elect him President of the Fourth Republic of Korea. Read more
- 1979 — The Troubles: Eighteen British soldiers are killed at the Warrenpoint ambush by the Provisional Irish Republican Army near Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland, in the deadliest attack on British forces during Operation Banner. An IRA bomb also kills British royal family member Lord Mountbatten and three others on his boat at Mullaghmore, Republic of Ireland. Read more
- 1975 — The Governor of Portuguese Timor abandons its capital, Dili, and flees to Atauro Island, leaving control to a rebel group. Read more
- 1971 — An attempted coup d'état fails in the African nation of Chad. The Government of Chad accuses Egypt of playing a role in the attempt and breaks off diplomatic relations. Read more
- 1964 — South Vietnamese junta leader Nguyễn Khánh enters into a triumvirate power-sharing arrangement with rival generals Trần Thiện Khiêm and Dương Văn Minh, who had both been involved in plots to unseat Khánh. Read more
- 1963 — An explosion at the Cane Creek potash mine near Moab, Utah kills 18 miners. Read more
- 1962 — The Mariner 2 unmanned space mission is launched to Venus by NASA. Read more
- 1956 — The nuclear power station at Calder Hall in the United Kingdom was connected to the national power grid becoming the world's first commercial nuclear power station to generate electricity on an industrial scale. Read more
- 1955 — The first edition of the Guinness Book of Records is published in Great Britain. Read more
- 1943 — World War II: Japanese forces evacuate New Georgia Island in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. Read more
- 1943 — World War II: Aerial bombardment by the Luftwaffe razes to the ground the village of Vorizia in Crete. Read more
- 1942 — The Holocaust: first day of the Sarny Massacre, perpetrated by German military forces. Read more
- 1939 — First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft. Read more
- 1933 — The first Afrikaans Bible is introduced during a Bible Festival in Bloemfontein. Read more
- 1928 — The Kellogg–Briand Pact outlawing war is signed by fifteen nations. Ultimately sixty-one nations will sign it. Read more
- 1927 — Five Canadian women file a petition to the Supreme Court of Canada, asking: "Does the word 'Persons' in Section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, include female persons?" Read more
- 1922 — Greco-Turkish War: The Turkish army takes the Aegean city of Afyonkarahisar from the Kingdom of Greece. Read more
- 1918 — Mexican Revolution: Battle of Ambos Nogales: U.S. Army forces skirmish against Mexican Carrancistas as part of the Mexican Border War. Read more
- 1916 — World War I: The Kingdom of Romania declares war on Austria-Hungary, entering the war as one of the Allied nations. Read more
- 1915 — Attempted assassination of Bishop Patrick Heffron, bishop of the Diocese of Winona, by Rev. Louis M. Lesches. Read more
- 1914 — World War I: Battle of Étreux: A British rearguard action by the Royal Munster Fusiliers during the Great Retreat. Read more
- 1914 — World War I: Siege of Tsingtao: A Japanese fleet commanded by Vice Admiral Sadakichi Kato imposes a blockade along the whole coastline of German Tsingtao, initiating the Siege of Tsingtao. Read more
- 1908 — The Qing dynasty promulgates the Qinding Xianfa Dagang, the first constitutional document in the history of China, transforming the Qing empire into a constitutional monarchy. Read more
- 1896 — Anglo-Zanzibar War: The shortest war in world history (09:02 to 09:40) occurs, between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar. Read more
- 1895 — Japanese invasion of Taiwan: Battle of Baguashan: The Empire of Japan decisively defeats a smaller Formosan army at Changhua, crippling the short-lived Republic of Formosa and leading to its surrender two months later. Read more
- 1893 — The Sea Islands hurricane strikes the United States near Savannah, Georgia, killing between 1,000 and 2,000 people. Read more
- 1883 — Eruption of Krakatoa: Four enormous explosions almost completely destroy the island of Krakatoa, with a combination of tsunamis and pyroclastic flows killing more than 36,000. Climate effects are observed worldwide. Read more
- 1881 — The Georgia hurricane makes landfall near Savannah, Georgia, resulting in an estimated 700 deaths. Read more
- 1859 — Petroleum is discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania, leading to the world's first commercially successful oil well. Read more
- 1832 — Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk tribe of Native Americans, surrenders to U.S. authorities, ending the Black Hawk War. Read more
- 1828 — Brazil and Argentina recognize the sovereignty of Uruguay in the Treaty of Montevideo. Read more
- 1813 — French Emperor Napoleon I defeats a larger force of Austrians, Russians, and Prussians at the Battle of Dresden. Read more
- 1810 — Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy defeats the British Royal Navy, preventing them from taking the harbour of Grand Port on Île de France. Read more
- 1798 — Wolfe Tone's United Irish and French forces clash with the British Army in the Battle of Castlebar, part of the Irish Rebellion of 1798, resulting in the creation of the French puppet Republic of Connacht. Read more
- 1793 — French Revolutionary Wars: The city of Toulon revolts against the French Republic and admits the British and Spanish fleets to seize its port, leading to the Siege of Toulon by French Revolutionary forces. Read more
- 1791 — French Revolution: Frederick William II of Prussia and Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, issue the Declaration of Pillnitz, declaring the joint support of the Holy Roman Empire and Prussia for the French monarchy, agitating the French revolutionaries and contributing to the outbreak of the War of the First Coalition. Read more
- 1776 — American Revolutionary War: British forces under General William Howe flank and defeat the Continental Army under General George Washington during the Battle of Long Island, with the 1st Maryland Regiment sustaining heavy casualties to cover retreating American troops. Read more
- 1689 — The Treaty of Nerchinsk is signed by Russia and the Qing Empire (Julian calendar). Read more
- 1600 — Ishida Mitsunari's Western Army commences the Siege of Fushimi Castle, which is lightly defended by a much smaller Tokugawa garrison led by Torii Mototada. Read more
- 1597 — Jeongyu War: Battle of Chilcheollyang: A Japanese fleet of 500 ships destroys Joseon commander Wŏn Kyun's fleet of 200 ships at Chilcheollyang. Read more
- 1593 — Pierre Barrière fails in an attempt to assassinate Henry IV of France. Read more
- 1557 — The Battle of St. Quentin results in Emmanuel Philibert becoming Duke of Savoy. Read more
- 1353 — War of the Straits and Sardinian–Aragonese war: The Battle of Alghero results in a crushing victory of the allied Aragonese and Venetian fleet over the Genoese fleet, most of which is captured. Read more
- 1232 — Shikken Hojo Yasutoki of the Kamakura shogunate promulgates the Goseibai Shikimoku, the first Japanese legal code governing the samurai class. Read more
- 1172 — Henry the Young King and Margaret of France are crowned junior king and queen of England. Read more
- 410 — The sacking of Rome by the Visigoths ends after three days. Read more
Born on August 27
- 2007 — Ariana Greenblatt, American actress Read more
- 2006 — Kang Ju-hyeok, South Korean footballer Read more
- 2001 — Franz Wagner, German basketball player Read more
- 1998 — Kevin Huerter, American basketball player Read more
- 1998 — Matheus Nunes, Portuguese footballer Read more
- 1998 — Rod Wave, American rapper, singer, and songwriter Read more
- 1998 — Brandon Hagel, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
- 1997 — Lucas Paquetá, Brazilian footballer Read more
- 1995 — Jessie Mei Li, English actress Read more
- 1995 — Sergey Sirotkin, Russian race car driver Read more
- 1994 — Ellar Coltrane, American actor Read more
- 1994 — Breanna Stewart, American basketball player Read more
- 1993 — Sarah Hecken, German figure skater Read more
- 1993 — Olivier Le Gac, French cyclist Read more
- 1992 — Blake Jenner, American actor and singer Read more
- 1992 — Stephen Morris, American football player Read more
- 1992 — Kim Petras, German singer-songwriter Read more
- 1992 — Ayame Goriki, Japanese actress and singer Read more
- 1991 — Lee Sung-yeol, South Korean actor and singer Read more
- 1990 — Tori Bowie, American athlete (died 2023) Read more
- 1990 — Luuk de Jong, Dutch footballer Read more
- 1989 — Romain Amalfitano, French footballer Read more
- 1989 — Juliana Cannarozzo, American figure skater and actress Read more
- 1988 — Alexa PenaVega, American actress and singer Read more
- 1987 — Darren McFadden, American football player Read more
- 1986 — Lana Bastašić, Serbian-Bosnian author and translator Read more
- 1986 — Sebastian Kurz, Austrian politician, 25th Chancellor of Austria Read more
- 1986 — Mario, American singer and actor Read more
- 1985 — Kayla Ewell, American actress Read more
- 1985 — Kevan Hurst, English footballer Read more
- 1985 — Nikica Jelavić, Croatian footballer Read more
- 1985 — Alexandra Nechita, Romanian-American painter and sculptor Read more
- 1984 — David Bentley, English footballer Read more
- 1984 — Amanda Fuller, American actress Read more
- 1984 — Sulley Muntari, Ghanaian footballer Read more
- 1983 — Joanna McGilchrist, English rugby player and physiotherapist Read more
- 1981 — Patrick J. Adams, Canadian actor Read more
- 1981 — Maxwell Cabelino Andrade, Brazilian footballer Read more
- 1981 — Chantal Djotodia, Beninese-Central African nurse and politician Read more
- 1981 — Alessandro Gamberini, Italian footballer Read more
Died on August 27
- 2026 — Ratko Mladić, Bosnian Serb military officer and war criminal (born 1942) Read more
- 2026 — Rukidi IV of Tooro, 13th Omukama of Tooro (born 1992) Read more
- 2024 — Bob Carr, American politician (born 1943) Read more
- 2024 — Juan Izquierdo, Uruguayan footballer (born 1997) Read more
- 2024 — Charlotte Kretschmann, German supercentenarian (born 1909) Read more
- 2024 — Leonard Riggio, American businessman (born 1941) Read more
- 2016 — Cookie, Australian Major Mitchell's cockatoo, oldest recorded parrot (born 1933) Read more
- 2015 — Kazi Zafar Ahmed, Bangladeshi politician, 8th Prime Minister of Bangladesh (born 1939) Read more
- 2015 — Pascal Chaumeil, French director and screenwriter (born 1961) Read more
- 2015 — Darryl Dawkins, American basketball player and coach (born 1957) Read more
- 2014 — Jacques Friedel, French physicist and academic (born 1921) Read more
- 2014 — Valeri Petrov, Bulgarian poet, playwright, and screenwriter (born 1920) Read more
- 2014 — Benno Pludra, German author (born 1925) Read more
- 2013 — Chen Liting, Chinese director and playwright (born 1910) Read more
- 2013 — Bill Peach, Australian journalist (born 1935) Read more
- 2013 — Dave Thomas, Welsh golfer and architect (born 1934) Read more
- 2012 — Neville Alexander, South African linguist and activist (born 1936) Read more
- 2012 — Malcolm Browne, American journalist and photographer (born 1931) Read more
- 2012 — Art Heyman, American basketball player (born 1941) Read more
- 2012 — Ivica Horvat, Croatian footballer and manager (born 1926) Read more
- 2012 — Richard Kingsland, Australian captain and pilot (born 1916) Read more
- 2012 — Geliy Korzhev, Russian painter (born 1925) Read more
- 2010 — Anton Geesink, Dutch martial artist (born 1934) Read more
- 2010 — Luna Vachon, Canadian-American wrestler and manager (born 1962) Read more
- 2009 — Sergey Mikhalkov, Russian author and poet (born 1913) Read more
- 2007 — Emma Penella, Spanish actress (born 1930) Read more
- 2006 — Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Indian director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1922) Read more
- 2006 — Jesse Pintado, Mexican-American guitarist (born 1969) Read more
- 2005 — Giorgos Mouzakis, Greek trumpet player and composer (born 1922) Read more
- 2005 — Seán Purcell, Irish footballer (born 1929) Read more
- 2004 — Willie Crawford, American baseball player (born 1946) Read more
- 2003 — Pierre Poujade, French soldier and politician (born 1920) Read more
- 2002 — Edwin Louis Cole, American religious leader and author (born 1922) Read more
- 2001 — Michael Dertouzos, Greek-American computer scientist and academic (born 1936) Read more
- 2001 — Abu Ali Mustafa, Palestinian politician (born 1938) Read more
- 1999 — Hélder Câmara, Brazilian archbishop and theologian (born 1909) Read more
- 1998 — Essie Summers, New Zealand author (born 1912) Read more
- 1996 — Greg Morris, American actor (born 1933) Read more
- 1994 — Frank Jeske, German footballer (born 1960) Read more
- 1992 — Bengt Holbek, Danish folklorist (born 1933) Read more
Holidays & observances
Christian feast day:
Baculus of Sorrento; Christian feast day:
Caesarius of Arles; Christian feast day:
David Lewis; Christian feast day:
Decuman; Christian feast day:
Gebhard of Constance; Christian feast day:
Euthalia; Christian feast day:
John of Pavia; Christian feast day:
Lycerius (or: Glycerius, Lizier); Christian feast day:
Máel Ruba (or Rufus) (Scotland); Christian feast day:
Margaret the Barefooted; Christian feast day:
Monica of Hippo, mother of Augustine of Hippo; Christian feast day:
Narnus; Christian feast day:
Our Lady of La Vang; Christian feast day:
Phanourios of Rhodes; Christian feast day:
Rufus and Carpophorus; Christian feast day:
Syagrius of Autun; Christian feast day:
Thomas Gallaudet and Henry Winter Syle (Episcopal Church); Christian feast day:
August 27 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Independence Day (Republic of Moldova), celebrates the independence of Moldova from the USSR in 1991.; Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (Texas, United States)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “August 27”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.