On This Day in History — June 27

Highlights of June 27

• 2018 — The Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 (artist's impression pictured) arrived at the asteroid Ryugu to collect samples for return to Earth. Read more
• 2017 — Websites of Ukrainian organizations were swamped by a massive cyberattack, blamed on Russian military hackers, using the malware Petya. Read more
• 2015 — Ignition of corn starch caused a dust fire at a water park in New Taipei City, Taiwan, killing 15 people and injuring more than 400 others. Read more
• 2008 — Robert Mugabe was re-elected as President of Zimbabwe with an overwhelming majority after his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew, citing violence against his party's supporters. Read more
• 2007 — As a result of an ongoing conflict between drug dealers and police in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, a large military and civil police operation killed 19 people and injured several others. Read more
• 1994 — Members of the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo released sarin gas in Matsumoto, Nagano, killing eight people and injuring more than five hundred others. Read more
• 1991 — Croatian War of Independence: As the Yugoslav Army moved into Osijek, Croatia, a civilian attempted to halt them by placing his car in the path of a tank, becoming a symbol of Croatian resistance in the war. Read more
• 1976 — The first identifiable case of Ebola occurred in Sudan. Read more
• 1957 — Hurricane Audrey made landfall near the Texas–Louisiana border, killing over 400 people, mainly in and around Cameron, Louisiana, U.S. Read more
• 1954 — Jacobo Árbenz resigned as President of Guatemala following a CIA-led coup against his administration. Read more
• 1950 — Korean War: Five North Korean aircraft attacked an American air convoy above Suwon Air Base in the first air engagement of the Korean War. Read more
• 1905 — First Russian Revolution: The crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin began a mutiny against their officers. Read more
• 1899 — A. E. J. Collins (pictured) scored 628 runs not out, the highest recorded score in cricket until being surpassed in 2016. Read more
• 1869 — One day after surrendering at the Battle of Hakodate, Enomoto Takeaki turned the fort of Goryōkaku over to Japanese forces, signaling the collapse of the Republic of Ezo. Read more
• 1869 — The military phase of the Meiji Restoration in Japan was completed with an imperial victory in the Boshin War. Read more
• 1864 — American Civil War: General Sherman's frontal assault against the Confederate Army of Tennessee failed, but did not stop the Union army from advancing on Atlanta. Read more
• 1800 — War of the Second Coalition: French forces won a victory at the Battle of Neuburg, ending Austrian control over the River Danube. Read more
• 1743 — War of the Austrian Succession: In the last time that a British monarch led troops in battle, Allied forces commanded by George II (depicted) defeated the French army at Dettingen, Bavaria. Read more
• 1571 — Queen Elizabeth I issued a royal charter establishing Jesus College, the first Protestant college at the University of Oxford. Read more
• 678 — Pope Agatho, later venerated as a saint in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, began his pontificate. Read more

Events

• 2024 — U.S. President Joe Biden debates former U.S. President Donald Trump. Biden's perceived poor performance leads to his withdrawal from the election on July 21. Read more
• 2017 — A series of powerful cyberattacks using the Petya malware target websites of Ukrainian organizations and counterparts with Ukrainian connections around the globe. Read more
• 2015 — Formosa Fun Coast fire: A dust fire occurs at a recreational water park in Taiwan, killing 15 people and injuring 497 others, 199 critically. Read more
• 2014 — At least fourteen people are killed when a Gas Authority of India Limited pipeline explodes in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Read more
• 2013 — NASA launches the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph space probe to observe the Sun. Read more
• 2008 — In a highly scrutinized election, President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe is re-elected in a landslide after his opponent Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn a week earlier, citing violence against his party's supporters. Read more
• 2007 — Tony Blair resigns as British Prime Minister, a position he had held since 1997. Chancellor Gordon Brown succeeds him. Read more
• 2007 — The Brazilian Military Police invades the favelas of Complexo do Alemão in an episode which is remembered as the Complexo do Alemão massacre. Read more
• 1995 — Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on STS-71, the first space shuttle mission to dock with the Russian space station Mir. Read more
• 1994 — Members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult release sarin gas in Matsumoto, Japan. Seven people are killed, 660 injured. Read more
• 1991 — Two days after it had declared independence, Slovenia is invaded by Yugoslav troops, tanks, and aircraft, starting the Ten-Day War. Read more
• 1988 — The Gare de Lyon rail accident in Paris, France, kills 56 people. Read more
• 1988 — Villa Tunari massacre: Bolivian anti-narcotics police kill nine to 12 and injure over a hundred protesting coca-growing peasants. Read more
• 1982 — Space Shuttle Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center on the final research and development flight mission, STS-4. Read more
• 1981 — The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party issues its "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party Since the Founding of the People's Republic of China", laying the blame for the Cultural Revolution on Mao Zedong. Read more
• 1980 — The 'Ustica massacre': Itavia Flight 870 crashes in the sea while en route from Bologna to Palermo, Italy, killing all 81 on board. Read more
• 1977 — France grants independence to Djibouti. Read more
• 1977 — Constitution for the Federation of Earth was adopted by the second session of the World Constituent Assembly, held at Innsbruck, Austria. Read more
• 1976 — Air France Flight 139 (Tel Aviv-Athens-Paris) is hijacked en route to Paris by the PFLP and redirected to Entebbe, Uganda. Read more
• 1974 — U.S. president Richard Nixon visits the Soviet Union. Read more
• 1973 — The President of Uruguay Juan María Bordaberry dissolves Parliament and establishes a dictatorship. Read more
• 1957 — Hurricane Audrey makes landfall near the Texas–Louisiana border, killing over 400 people, mainly in and around Cameron, Louisiana. Read more
• 1954 — The Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, the Soviet Union's first nuclear power station, opens in Obninsk, near Moscow. Read more
• 1954 — The FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Hungary and Brazil, highly anticipated to be exciting, instead turns violent, with three players ejected and further fighting continuing after the game. Read more
• 1950 — The United States decides to send troops to fight in the Korean War. Read more
• 1946 — In the Canadian Citizenship Act, the Parliament of Canada establishes the definition of Canadian citizenship. Read more
• 1944 — World War II: Mogaung is the first place in Burma to be liberated from the Japanese by British Chindits, supported by the Chinese. Read more
• 1941 — Romanian authorities launch one of the most violent pogroms in Jewish history in the city of Iași, resulting in the murder of at least 13,266 Jews. Read more
• 1941 — World War II: German troops capture the city of Białystok during Operation Barbarossa. Read more
• 1928 — The Rovaniemi township decree is promulgated, as a result of which Rovaniemi secedes from the old rural municipality as its own market town on January 1, 1929. Read more
• 1927 — Prime Minister of Japan Tanaka Giichi convenes an eleven-day conference to discuss Japan's strategy in China. The Tanaka Memorial, a forged plan for world domination, is later claimed to be a secret report leaked from this conference. Read more
• 1924 — The Johor–Singapore Causeway opens after five years of construction, providing a land connection for road and rail vehicles travelling between Johor and Singapore. Read more
• 1914 — The Illinois Monument is dedicated at Cheatham Hill in what is now the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Read more
• 1905 — During the Russo-Japanese War, sailors start a mutiny aboard the Russian battleship Potemkin. Read more
• 1898 — The first solo circumnavigation of the globe is completed by Joshua Slocum from Briar Island, Nova Scotia. Read more
• 1895 — The inaugural run of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Royal Blue from Washington, D.C., to New York City, the first U.S. passenger train to use electric locomotives. Read more
• 1864 — American Civil War: Confederate forces defeat Union forces during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain during the Atlanta campaign. Read more
• 1844 — Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and his brother Hyrum Smith, are killed by a mob at the Carthage, Illinois jail. Read more
• 1806 — British forces take Buenos Aires during the first of the British invasions of the River Plate. Read more
• 1760 — Anglo-Cherokee War: Cherokee warriors defeat British forces at the Battle of Echoee near present-day Otto, North Carolina. Read more
• 1743 — In the Battle of Dettingen, George II becomes the last reigning British monarch to participate in a battle. Read more
• 1556 — The thirteen Stratford Martyrs are burned at the stake near London for their Protestant beliefs. Read more
• 1499 — Amerigo Vespucci sights what is now Amapá State in Brazil. Read more
• 678 — Pope Agatho is consecrated following the death of pope Donus two months prior. Read more
• 363 — Jovian is proclaimed Roman emperor following the death of emperor Julian in the previous night. Read more

Born on June 27

• 2002 — Kelee Ringo, American football player Read more
• 2000 — Chris Olave, American football player Read more
• 1999 — Will Levis, American football player Read more
• 1999 — Chandler Riggs, American actor Read more
• 1997 — Yordan Alvarez, Cuban baseball player Read more
• 1997 — Jehyve Floyd, American basketball player Read more
• 1997 — Dalton Eatherly, American livestreamer, better known as Chud the Builder Read more
• 1997 — H.E.R., American singer-songwriter Read more
• 1995 — Monté Morris, American basketball player Read more
• 1994 — Anita Husarić, Bosnian tennis player Read more
• 1993 — Johanna Talihärm, Estonian biathlete Read more
• 1993 — Alberto Campbell-Staines, Australian athlete Read more
• 1992 — Ahn So-hee, South Korean singer and actress Read more
• 1992 — Karthika Nair, Indian actress Read more
• 1991 — Oliver Stark, British actor Read more
• 1990 — Bobby Wagner, American football player Read more
• 1989 — Hana Birnerová, Czech tennis player Read more
• 1989 — Sabino Brunello, Italian chess grandmaster Read more
• 1989 — Matthew Lewis, English actor Read more
• 1988 — Stefani Bismpikou, Greek gymnast Read more
• 1988 — Matthew Spiranovic, Australian footballer Read more
• 1988 — Kate Ziegler, American swimmer Read more
• 1987 — India de Beaufort, English actress Read more
• 1987 — Ed Westwick, English actor Read more
• 1986 — Sam Claflin, British actor Read more
• 1986 — Drake Bell, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor Read more
• 1986 — Bryan Fletcher, American skier Read more
• 1986 — LaShawn Merritt, American sprinter Read more
• 1985 — James Hook, Welsh rugby player Read more
• 1985 — Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russian tennis player Read more
• 1985 — Nico Rosberg, German race car driver Read more
• 1984 — Aiden Blizzard, Australian cricketer Read more
• 1984 — Khloé Kardashian, American model, businesswoman, and radio host Read more
• 1984 — D.J. King, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1984 — Gökhan Inler, Swiss footballer Read more
• 1983 — Jim Johnson, American baseball player Read more
• 1983 — Dale Steyn, South African cricketer Read more
• 1983 — Nikola Rakočević, Serbian actor Read more
• 1982 — Laura Dre, German-Filipina electronic musician, singer-songwriter and music producer Read more
• 1981 — Andrew Embley, Australian footballer Read more

Died on June 27

• 2026 — K. Bhagyaraj, Indian film and television actor, writer, director, and producer (born 1953) Read more
• 2024 — Kinky Friedman, American country musician (born 1944) Read more
• 2024 — Martin Mull, American actor (born 1943) Read more
• 2018 — Joe Jackson, American manager, father of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson (born 1928) Read more
• 2018 — Liz Jackson, Australian journalist and former barrister (born 1951) Read more
• 2018 — William McBride, Australian obstetrician (born 1927) Read more
• 2017 — Peter L. Berger, Austrian sociologist (born 1929) Read more
• 2016 — Bud Spencer, Italian swimmer, actor, and screenwriter (born 1929) Read more
• 2015 — Zvi Elpeleg, Polish-Israeli diplomat, author, and academic (born 1926) Read more
• 2015 — Knut Helle, Norwegian historian and professor (born 1930) Read more
• 2015 — Chris Squire, English musician (bass guitarist), singer and songwriter, member of the rock band Yes (born 1948) Read more
• 2014 — Edmond Blanchard, Canadian jurist and politician (born 1954) Read more
• 2014 — Allen Grossman, American poet, critic, and academic (born 1932) Read more
• 2014 — Leslie Manigat, Haitian educator and politician, 43rd President of Haiti (born 1930) Read more
• 2014 — Violet Milstead, Canadian World War II aviator and bush pilot (born 1919) Read more
• 2014 — Rachid Solh, Lebanese politician, 48th Prime Minister of Lebanon (born 1926) Read more
• 2013 — Stefano Borgonovo, Italian footballer (born 1964) Read more
• 2013 — Ian Scott, English-New Zealand painter (born 1945) Read more
• 2012 — Stan Cox, English runner (born 1918) Read more
• 2012 — Rosemary Dobson, Australian poet and illustrator (born 1920) Read more
• 2011 — Mike Doyle, English footballer (born 1946) Read more
• 2010 — Corey Allen, American film and television actor, writer, director, and producer (born 1934) Read more
• 2009 — Gale Storm, American actress (born 1922) Read more
• 2008 — Sam Manekshaw, Indian field marshal (born 1914) Read more
• 2007 — William Hutt, Canadian actor (born 1920) Read more
• 2006 — Eileen Barton, American singer (born 1924) Read more
• 2006 — Ángel Maturino Reséndiz, Mexican serial killer (born 1960) Read more
• 2005 — Shelby Foote, American historian and author (born 1916) Read more
• 2005 — Ray Holmes, English lieutenant and pilot (born 1914) Read more
• 2005 — John T. Walton, American businessman, co-founded the Children's Scholarship Fund (born 1946) Read more
• 2004 — George Patton IV, American general (born 1923) Read more
• 2004 — Darrell Russell, American race car driver (born 1968) Read more
• 2003 — David Newman, American director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1937) Read more
• 2002 — John Entwistle, English singer-songwriter, bass guitarist, and producer (born 1944) Read more
• 2002 — Robert L. J. Long, American admiral (born 1920) Read more
• 2001 — Tove Jansson, Finnish author, illustrator, and painter (born 1914) Read more
• 2001 — Jack Lemmon, American actor (born 1925) Read more
• 2001 — Joan Sims, English actress (born 1930) Read more
• 2000 — Pierre Pflimlin, French lawyer and politician, Prime Minister of France (born 1907) Read more
• 1999 — Georgios Papadopoulos, Greek colonel and politician, 169th Prime Minister of Greece (born 1919) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: Arialdo; Christian feast day: Crescens, one of the Seventy disciples; Christian feast day: Cyril of Alexandria (Coptic Church, Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion and Lutheran Church); Christian feast day: Hemma of Gurk; Christian feast day: Gundenis; Christian feast day: Blessed Louise-Thérèse de Montaignac de Chauvance; Christian feast day: Marguerite Bays; Christian feast day: Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Christian feast day: Sampson the Hospitable; Christian feast day: Zoilus; Christian feast day: June 27 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Canadian Multiculturalism Day (Canada); Commemoration Day for the Victims of the Communist Regime (Czech Republic); Day of Turkmen Workers of Culture and Art and poetry of Magtymguly Pyragy (Turkmenistan); Helen Keller Day (United States); Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Djibouti from France in 1977.; Mixed Race Day (Brazil); National PTSD Awareness Day (United States); Seven Sleepers' Day or Siebenschläfertag (Germany); Unity Day (Tajikistan)

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