Saturday, December 27, 2025

December 27th: This Day in History

 


Once again, it should be reiterated, that this does not pretend to be a very extensive history of what happened on this day (nor is it the most original - the links can be found down below). If you know something that I am missing, by all means, shoot me an email or leave a comment, and let me know!


This date in history proved to be quite important in history. It is the anniversary of the birth of Johannes Kepler in 1571. Also, it is the anniversary of Charles Darwin beginning his voyage on the HMS Beagle, where he would put together the findings from his discoveries  and publish a highly controversial and influential book which would challenge human understanding of our place in this world. 

So it seemed to me fitting to add some quote from both here:


"I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses."

“The diversity of the phenomena of nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in the heavens so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.”

“Nature uses as little as possible of anything.”

“So long as the mother, Ignorance, lives, it is not safe for Science, the offspring, to divulge the hidden cause of things”

“I demonstrate by means of philosophy that the earth is round, and is inhabited on all sides; that it is insignificantly small, and is borne through the stars.”

~Johannes Kepler, December 27, 1571 - November 15, 1630

~

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

“Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death, the most exalted object which we are capable of conceiving, namely, the production of the higher animals, directly follows. There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”

“As man advances in civilisation, and small tribes are united into larger communities, the simplest reason would tell each individual that he ought to extend his social instincts and sympathies to all members of the same nation, though personally unknown to him. This point being once reached, there is only an artificial barrier to prevent his sympathies extending to the men of all nations and races.”

“If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin.”  

“We stopped looking for monsters under our bed when we realized that they were inside us.”

“Light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history.”

~ Charles Darwin, February 12, 1809 - April 19, 1882


On this day in 537, the Hagia Sophia, the showpiece of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul, in modern day Turkey), was inaugurated by the Emperor Justinian. In 1512 on this day, the Spanish Crown issued the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regards to Native Americans in the New World. Also on this day in 1571, Johannes Kepler was born. Kepler is best known for proving that the planets revolve around the sun, a discovery that undeniably advanced human understanding of the planet and the wider universe, and helped push us forward quite a bit in humanity's eternal quest for more knowledge, and a greater and deeper understanding of our world, and our role in it. On this day in 1831, Charles Darwin set out on a voyage to the Pacific aboard the HMS Beagle. During his time on this voyage the places which he visited (most famously the Galapagos Islands), Darwin would have scientific discoveries which helped him form the basis of his theories on evolution. These theories, of course, would revolutionize human thinking and understanding of our place in the world. On this day in 1904, the play "Peter Pan" by James Barrie opened at the Duke of York's Theater in London. On this day in 1918, Poles take up arms against German troops in Poznan. In 1939 on this day, a massive Between 20,000 & 40,000 die in magnitude 8 earthquake in Erzincam, Turkey, killed between 20,000 to 40,000. On this day in 1978, the Spanish king ratified a democratic constitution, ending decades of dictatorship and an even longer span of authoritarian rule in Spain. The Soviets took over in Afghanistan on this day in 1979, overthrowing the regime of President Hafizullah Amin. The People's Republic of China was granted permanent normal trade relations with the United States on this day in 2001. In 2002 on this day, two truck bombs killed 72 and wounded 200 at the pro-Moscow headquarters of the Chechen government in Grozny, Chechnya. Radiation from an explosion on the magnetar SGR 1806-20 reached Earth on this day in 2004. It is the brightest extrasolar event known to have been witnessed on the planet. In 2007 on this day, Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by a suicide bomber. 



Here's a more detailed look at events that transpired on this date throughout history:

 418 - [Etalius] begins his reign as Catholic Pope


 On this day in 537, the Hagia Sophia, the showpiece of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul, in modern day Turkey), was inaugurated by the Emperor Justinian. 



 1437 - Albrecht II von Habsburg becomes king of Bohemia

 1503 - Battle at Garigliano] Spanish army under G Cordoba beats France


 In 1512 on this day, the Spanish Crown issued the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regards to Native Americans in the New World. 

 In 1521 on this day, "Zwickauer profeten" appeared in Wittenberg. 






Bust of Astronomer Johann Kepler

 On this day in 1571, Johannes Kepler was born. Kepler is best known for proving that the planets revolve around the sun, a discovery that undeniably advanced human understanding of the planet and the wider universe, and helped push us forward quite a bit in humanity's eternal quest for more knowledge, and a greater and deeper understanding of our world, and our role in it.


 1657 - The Flushing Remonstrance is signed.

 1679 - Dutch troops capture Madurees prince Trunudjojo in Java

 1703 - England & Portugal sign Methuen-Asiento-trade agreement


 1741 - Prussian forces took Olmutz, Czechoslovakia


 1814 - Destruction of schooner Carolina, the last of Commodore Daniel Patterson's makeshift fleet that fought a series of delaying actions which ultimately contributed to Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans at the conclusion of the War of 1812.

 1825 - 1st public railroad using steam locomotive completed in England




British Botanist Charles Darwin

 On this day in 1831, British naturalist Charles Darwin set out from Plymouth, England, aboard the HMS Beagle on a five-year surveying expedition of the southern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. During his time on this voyage the places which he visited (most famously the Galapagos Islands, as well as New Zealand), Darwin gained knowledge of the flora, fauna, and geology of many lands. Gradually, he acquired scientific discoveries which eventually helped him develop his theories on evolution. These theories, of course, would revolutionize human thinking and understanding of our place in the world, first put forth in his groundbreaking scientific work of 1859, "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection."



 1836 - Worst English avalanche kills 8 of 15 buried (Lewes Sussex)

 1845 - Ether 1st used in childbirth in US, Jefferson, Ga

 1850 - Hawaiian Fire Dept established


 On this day in 1862 during the American Civil War, the Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, MS (Chickasaw Bayou) was fought.


 The Battle of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was fought on this day in 1862 during the American Civil War.












 On this day in 1867 early during Confederation, the Ontario & Quebec legislatures held their first meeting.


 1871 - World's 1st cat show (Crystal Palace, London)

 1884 - Netherlands recognizes King Leopold II's Congo Free State

1887 - Start of Sherlock Holmes "Adventure of Blue Carbuncle" (BG)

 In 1892 on this day, the Foundation Stone of Cathedral of St John the Divine was laid in New York City.

1892 - N C Biddle beats Livingston 4-0 in 1st black college football game
1897 - Stanley Cup: Montreal Victorias beat Ottawa Capitals, 15-2
1900 - Carrie Nation's 1st public smashing of a bar (Carey Hotel, Wichita KS)
1903 - "Sweet Adaline," a barbershop quartet favorite, is 1st sung


 On this day in 1904, the play "Peter Pan" by James Barrie opened at the Duke of York's Theater in London.  

1904 - Duke of York Theatre opens in London (1st musical Peter Pan)
1904 - W B Yeats/Lady Gregory's "On Baile's Strand," premieres in Dublin
1905 - M A Noble scores 281 (369 mins, 21 fours) NSW v Victoria
1906 - 1st annual meeting of American Sociological Society, Providence, R











  The Greater Poland Uprising against German rule began on this day in 1918, shortly after the end of Germany's defeat in the Great War (now more commonly known as World War I).  On this day in 1918, Poles take up arms against German troops in Poznan. In the wake of the German defeat, members of the People's Guard, the Polish military organization, joined by a number of volunteers—many of them veterans of the Great War—take up arms against the occupying German army in the major industrial city of Poznan.    At the beginning of World War I, close to three-quarters of Poland was under the control of Russia; the remainder of the country was ruled by Germany and Austria-Hungary. The start of war between Russia and the Central Powers, then, saw Poles fighting for both sides. With the downfall of the Russian Empire in March 1917, the Bolsheviks recognized Russian-held Poland's right to autonomy, and a provisional government was established in Paris. By later that year, however, Germany was in complete control of the country. The Great Poland Uprising against the Germans had begun.

1919 - Red Sox owner Harry Frazee announces they will deal any player except Harry Hooper, Hooper is sent to the White Sox after 1920 season
1923 - Unsuccessful attempt on prince-regent Hirohito of Japan
1926 - Depot Square in Bronx renamed Botanical Square
1926 - Latkin Square in Bronx named for 1st US Jewish soldier to die in WW I
1927 - Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II's "Show Boat," premieres in NYC
1927 - Philip Barry's "Paris Bound," premieres in NYC
Soviet Union Premier Joseph StalinSoviet Union Premier Joseph Stalin 

 1927 - Stalin's faction wins All-Union Congress in USSR, Trotsky expelled

 1932 - Radio City Music Hall opens (NYC)

1934 - 1st youth hostel in US opens (Northfield, Mass)
1934 - Shah of Persia declares Persia now Iran
1934 - Vernon Duke & James Hanley's musical premieres in NYC
1937 - Bradman scores 246 SA v Queensland, 364 mins, 20 fours



Flag of the Olympics

 1937 - German immigration officials with no explanation bar Juan Carlos Zabala (Arg), 1932 Olympic marathon champion, from entering Germany



1937 - Mae West performs Adam & Eve skit that gets her banned from NBC radio
1939 - 1st American skimobiles (North Conway, NH)

 In 1939 on this day, a massive Between 20,000 & 40,000 die in magnitude 8 earthquake in Erzincam, Turkey, killed between 20,000 to 40,000.


1941 - Japan bombs Manila even though it was declared an "open city"
1941 - Siberia: Dmitri Sjostakovitsj completes his 7th Symphony
1942 - 1st Japanese women camp (Ambarawa) goes into use
1942 - NFL Pro Bowl: NFL All-Stars beats Washington 17-14
Actress Mae WestActress Mae West 1942 - The Union of Pioneers of Yugoslavia is founded.
1943 - France transfers most of her powers in Lebanon to Lebanese government
1943 - German warship "Scharnhorst" sinks in Barents Sea




 On this day in 1943 during World War II, General Montgomery discussed Operation Overlord with General Dwight D. Eisenhower & Bedell Smith.


 In 1944 on this day during World War II,  British Prime Minister Winston Churchill flew back to London from Greece.


1945 - Arthur Laurent's "Home of the Brave," premieres in NYC


 1945 - International Monetary Fund established-World Bank founded


 1945 - The World Bank was created with the signing of an agreement by 28 nations.

1947 - 1st "Howdy Doody Show," (Puppet Playhouse), telecast on NBC


 1949 - Queen Juliana (Netherlands) grants sovereignty to Indonesia
1949 - United States of Indonesia gains independence from Netherlands


1951 - 40th Davis Cup: Australia beats USA in Sydney (3-2)
1953 - Detroit Lions beat Cleveland Browns 17-16 in NFL championship game
1954 - "Saint of Bleecker Street" opens at Broadway Theater NYC for 92 perfs
1954 - Gian Carlo Menotti's opera "Saint," premieres in NYC
1956 - 45th Davis Cup: Australia beats USA in Adelaide (5-0)
1956 - Bill Sharman (Boston) ends NBA free throw streak of 55 games
1959 - Balt Colts beat NY Giants 31-16 in NFL championship game
1960 - France performs nuclear test
1961 - "Subways Are for Sleeping" opens at St James Theater NYC for 205 perfs



 1961 - Belgium & Congo resume diplomatic relations
1961 - Styne/Comden/Green's musical "Subways are for Sleeping," premieres
1962 - 28th Heisman Trophy Award: Terry Baker, Oregon State (QB)
1964 - Cleveland Browns beat Balt Colts 27-0 in NFL championship game
1966 - "At the Drop of Another Hat" opens at Booth Theater NYC for 105 perfs
1968 - Apollo 8 returns to Earth
1968 - China PR performs nuclear test at Lop Nor PRC
1970 - "Hello, Dolly!" closes at St James Theater NYC after 2844 performances
1972 - "Purlie" opens at Billy Rose Theater NYC for 14 performances




Flag of East Germany

 On this day in 1972, Belgium officially recognized the German Democratic Republic (often better known as East Germany).


1972 - LA Kings start Islanders on 12 game losing streak
1972 - New North Korean constitution comes into effect
1973 - LA Dodgers announce night games will start at 7:30 instead of 8
1974 - 40th Heisman Trophy Award: Archie Griffin, Ohio State (RB)
1974 - Dear Abby show ends run on CBS radio after 11 years

 1974 - FSLN seizes government hostages at a private Managua party

1974 - USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakh/Semipalitinsk USSR

 1975 - Explosion at Chasnala Colliery collapses drowning 350 (Dhanbad India)

 1976 - Albania constitution goes into effect



Flag of Spain

 On this day in 1978, the Spanish king ratified the country's first democratic constitution, which ended decades of dictatorship and an even longer span of authoritarian rule in Spain.     Following its approval in a national referendum, King Juan Carlos ratifies Spain's first democratic constitution in nearly five decades.    Juan Carlos' grandfather was Alfonso XIII, the last ruling monarch of Spain, who was forced into exile in 1931 after Spain was declared a republic. Born in Italy in 1938, Juan Carlos returned to Spain in 1955 under the invitation of General Francisco Franco, dictator of Spain since 1936. In 1969, Franco designated Juan Carlos his successor. In 1975, Juan Carlos became Spain's acting head of state after Franco conceded that he was too ill too govern. The 83-year-old dictator had been suffering serious health problems for nearly a year. Three weeks after Juan Carlos assumed power, Franco died of a heart attack. Two days later, on November 22, Juan Carlos was crowned king.    Despite having pledged loyalty to Franco's authoritarian regime, King Juan Carlos immediately began a transition to democracy in Spain. During the next decade, he presided over a period of extensive democratization in Spain.




1979 - "Knots Landing," premieres on CBS-TV
1979 - Red Army beats NY Rangers 5-2 at Madison Square Garden



The flag of the USSR (Soviet Union)

 The Soviets took over in Afghanistan on this day in 1979, overthrowing the regime of President Hafizullah Amin. In an attempt to stabilize the turbulent political situation in Afghanistan, the Soviet Union sent 75,000 troops to enforce the installation of Babrak Karmal as the new leader of the nation. The new government and the imposing Soviet presence, however, had little success in putting down antigovernment rebels. Thus began nearly 10 years of an agonizing, destructive, and ultimately fruitless Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan. It was considered the "Vietnam" of the USSR, and also kind of foreshadowed America's own experiences in Afghanistan.




1980 - Calvin Murphy (Rockets) begins longest NBA free throw streak of 78
1981 - Lillee becomes the leading wicket-taker in Test Crickets with 310
1981 - Oiler Wayne Gretzky becomes fastest NHLer to get 100 pts (38th game)
1981 - USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakh/Semipalitinsk USSR
1982 - Imran Khan 8-60 to bring innings victory v India at Karachi




 In 1983 on this day, Pope John Paul II pardoned Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot him.

 1983 - Propane gas fire devastated 16 blocks of Buffalo

1984 - Padres' free agent pitcher Ed Whitson signs with NY Yankees

 1985 - Terrorists kill 20 & wound 110 attacking El Al at Rome & Vienna airports, President Reagan blames Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi

1986 - "Les Miserables" opens at Kennedy Center, Wash DC
1986 - 10th Soap Opera Digest Poll Awards - Young & Restless wins
1987 - Steve Largent sets all-time NFL record for career catches when he catches his 752nd pass
1987 - USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakh/Semipalitinsk USSR

 1988 - Bulgaria stops jamming Radio Free Europe after more than 3 decades

1989 - Oregon begins taking bids on NBA games
1991 - "Carol Burnett Show" last airs on CBS-TV
1991 - Bengals hire Dave Shula as youngest NFL coach (32)
1991 - Chuck Knox retires as Seattle Seahawk coach
1992 - "3 From Brooklyn" closes at Helen Hayes Theater NYC after 45 perfs
1992 - "Les Miserables" opens at Ostregaswerks, Copenhagen
1992 - "Tommy Tune Tonite! Song & Dance Act" opens at Gershwin NYC for 10 per
1992 - 13th United Negro College Fund raises $11,000,000
Singer Harry Connick JrSinger Harry Connick Jr 1992 - Harry Connick Jr is caught with 9mm gun in NY's JFK airport
1992 - Nancy Sheehan wins LPGA Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge Golf Tournament
1993 - "Candles, Snow, & Mistletoe" opens at Palace Theater NYC for 7 perfs
1993 - Dow-Jones hits record 3792.93
1995 - Boon completes his 21st Test Cricket century (110 v SL, MCG)
1996 - Carquest Bowl 7: Miami beats Virginia, 31-21



Flag of Rwanda


 The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) opened its first genocide trial on this day in 1996, an important step towards addressing the Rwandan genocide from a couple of years earlier.




 1996 - Taliban forces retake the strategic Bagram air base which solidifies their buffer zone around Kabul.

 1997 - Protestant paramilitary leader Billy Wright is assassinated in Northern Ireland.





The flag of the People's Republic of China

 The People's Republic of China was granted permanent normal trade relations with the United States on this day in 2001. 

 In 2002 on this day, two truck bombs killed 72 and wounded 200 at the pro-Moscow headquarters of the Chechen government in Grozny, Chechnya. 

 Radiation from an explosion on the magnetar SGR 1806-20 reached Earth on this day in 2004. It is the brightest extrasolar event known to have been witnessed on the planet. 

 In 2007 on this day, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, the first democratically elected female of a predominately Muslim nation, was assassinated by a suicide bomber at age 54 in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi. A polarizing figure at home and abroad, Bhutto had spent three decades struggling to stay afloat in the murky waters of Pakistani politics. To many of her supporters, she represented the strongest hope for democratic and egalitarian leadership in a country unhinged by political corruption and Islamic extremism.              




 2012 - NASA unveils plans to capture a 500 ton asteroid in 2025



1703 - The Methuen Treaty was signed between Portugal and England, giving preference to the import of Portuguese wines into England.   1831 - Charles Darwin set out on a voyage to the Pacific aboard the HMS Beagle. Darwin's discoveries during the voyage helped him form the basis of his theories on evolution.   1845 - Dr. Crawford Williamson Long used anesthesia for childbirth for the first time. The event was the delivery of his own child in Jefferson, GA.   1900 - Carrie Nation staged her first raid on a saloon at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, KS. She broke each and every one of the liquor bottles that could be seen.   1904 - James Barrie's play "Peter Pan" premiered in London.   1927 - Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party.   1938 - The first skimobile course in America opened in North Conway, NH.   1945 - The World Bank was created with an agreement signed by 28 nations.   1947 - The children's television program "Howdy Doody," hosted by Bob Smith, made its debut on NBC.   1949 - Queen Juliana of the Netherlands granted sovereignty to Indonesia after more than 300 years of Dutch rule.   1951 - In Cincinnati, OH, a Crosley automobile, with a steering wheel on the right side, became the first vehicle of its kind to be placed in service for mail delivery.   1965 - The BP oil rig Sea Gem capsized in the North Sea, with the loss of 13 lives.   1968 - "The Breakfast Club" signed off for the last time on ABC radio, after 35 years on the air.   1971 - Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Woodstock of Charles Schulz’ "Peanuts" comic strip were on the cover of "Newsweek" magazine.   1978 - Spain adopted a new constitution and became a democracy after 40 years of dictatorship.   1979 - Soviet forces seized control of Afghanistan. Babrak Karmal succeeded President Hafizullah Amin, who was overthrown and executed.  1985 - Palestinian guerrillas opened fire inside the Rome and Vienna airports. A total of twenty people were killed, including five of the attackers, who were slain by police and security personnel.   1985 - Dian Fossey, an American naturalist, was found murdered at a research station in Rawanda.   1992 - The U.S. shot down an Iraqi fighter jet during what the Pentagon described as a confrontation between a pair of Iraqi warplanes and U.S. F-16 jets in U.N.-restricted airspace over southern Iraq.   1996 - Muslim fundamentalist Taliban forces retook the strategic air base of Bagram, solidifying their buffer zone around Kabul, the Afghanistan capital.   1997 - In Northern Ireland, Billy Wright was assassinated. He was imprisoned as a Protestant paramilitary leader.   2000 - Mario Lemeiux (Pittsburgh Penguins) returned to the National Hockey League (NHL) as a player after over 3 years of retirement. He was the first owner-player in the modern era of pro sports. Lemieux had purchased the Pittsburgh Penguins during his retirement from playing.   2001 - U.S. President George W. Bush granted China permanent normal trade status with the United States.   2002 - North Korea ordered U.N. nuclear inspectors to leave the country and said that it would restart a laboratory capable of producing plutonium for nuclear weapons.   2002 - Clonaid announced the birth of the first cloned human baby. The baby had been born December 26.   2002 - In Chechnya, at least 40 people were killed when suicide bombers attacked the administartion of Grozny.




1831 Darwin began his voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. 1900 Prohibitionist Carry Nation smashed her first saloon. 1932 Radio City Music Hall in New York City opened. 1945 The World Bank was created with an agreement signed by 28 nations. 1949 The Netherlands transferred sovereignty to Indonesia after more than 300 years of Dutch rule. 1979 The Soviet Union took control of Afghanistan, installing Afghan politician Babrak Karmal as president. 1996 Rwanda's first genocide trial opened for the 1994 slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis. 2001 President Bush permanently normalized trade relations with China. 2001 The U.S. announced plans to hold Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.


The following links are to web sites that were used to complete this blog entry:

http://www.historyorb.com/today/events.php

http://on-this-day.com/onthisday/thedays/alldays/dec27.htm

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

http://www.infoplease.com/dayinhistory

No comments:

Post a Comment