July 27 in history — What Happened Today in History
Curious what July 27 in history holds? From 2015 back through the centuries, our timeline gathers everything that happened on July 27 — events, birthdays and deaths on one cozy page.
On this page, July 27 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about July 27 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on July 27 in History 40
- 2015
Seven people are killed and many injured after gunmen attack an Indian police station in Punjab.
- 2002
Ukraine airshow disaster: A Sukhoi Su-27 fighter crashes during an air show at Lviv, Ukraine killing 77 and injuring more than 500 others, making it the deadliest air show disaster in history.
- 1997
About 50 people are killed in the Si Zerrouk massacre in Algeria.
- 1996
In Atlanta, United States, a pipe bomb explodes at Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- 1995
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C.
- 1990
The Jamaat al Muslimeen attempt a coup d'état in Trinidad and Tobago.
- 1989
While attempting to land at Tripoli International Airport in Libya, Korean Air Flight 803 crashes just short of the runway. Seventy-five of the 199 passengers and crew and four people on the ground are killed, in the second accident involving a DC-10 in less than two weeks, the first being United Airlines Flight 232.
- 1983
Black July: Eighteen Tamil political prisoners at the Welikada high security prison in Colombo are massacred by Sinhalese prisoners, the second such massacre in two days.
- 1981
While landing at Chihuahua International Airport, Aeromexico Flight 230 overshoots the runway. Thirty-two of the 66 passengers and crew on board the DC-9 are killed.
- 1975
Mayor of Jaffna and former MP Alfred Duraiappah is shot dead.
- 1974
Watergate scandal: The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee votes 27 to 11 to recommend the first article of impeachment (for obstruction of justice) against President Richard Nixon.
- 1964
Vietnam War: Five thousand more American military advisers are sent to South Vietnam bringing the total number of United States forces in Vietnam to 21,000.
All entries for July 27(+28)
- 1963
The Puijo observation tower is opened to the general public at Puijo Hill in Kuopio, Finland.
- 1959
The Continental League is announced as baseball's "third major league" in the United States.
- 1955
The Austrian State Treaty restores Austrian sovereignty.
- 1955
El Al Flight 402 is shot down by two fighter jets after straying into Bulgarian air space. All 58 people on board are killed.
- 1953
Korean War: Cessation of hostilities is achieved when the United States, China, and North Korea sign an armistice agreement. Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea, refuses to sign but pledges to observe the armistice.
- 1949
Initial flight of the de Havilland Comet, the first jet-powered airliner.
- 1947
In Vatican City, Rome, canonization of Catherine Labouré, the saint whose apparitions of the Virgin Mary originated the worldwide distribution of the Miraculous Medal.
- 1942
World War II: Allied forces successfully halt the final Axis advance into Egypt.
- 1940
The animated short A Wild Hare is released, introducing the character of Bugs Bunny.
- 1929
The Geneva Convention of 1929, dealing with treatment of prisoners-of-war, is signed by 53 nations.
- 1921
Researchers at the University of Toronto, led by biochemist Frederick Banting, prove that the hormone insulin regulates blood sugar.
- 1919
The Chicago Race Riot erupts after a racial incident occurred on a South Side beach, leading to 38 fatalities and 537 injuries over a five-day period.
- 1917
World War I: The Allies reach the Yser Canal at the Battle of Passchendaele.
- 1900
Kaiser Wilhelm II makes a speech comparing Germans to Huns; for years afterwards, "Hun" would be a disparaging name for Germans.
- 1890
Vincent van Gogh shoots himself and dies two days later.
- 1880
Second Anglo-Afghan War: Battle of Maiwand: Afghan forces led by Mohammad Ayub Khan defeat the British Army in battle near Maiwand, Afghanistan.
- 1866
The first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable is successfully completed, stretching from Valentia Island, Ireland, to Heart's Content, Newfoundland.
- 1865
Welsh settlers arrive at Chubut in Argentina.
- 1857
Indian Rebellion: Sixty-eight men hold out for eight days against a force of 2,500 to 3,000 mutinying sepoys and 8,000 irregular forces.
- 1816
Seminole Wars: The Battle of Negro Fort ends when a hot shot cannonball fired by US Navy Gunboat No. 154 explodes the fort's Powder Magazine, killing approximately 275. It is considered the deadliest single cannon shot in US history.
- 1794
French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre is arrested after encouraging the execution of more than 17,000 "enemies of the Revolution".
- 1789
The first U.S. federal government agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs, is established (it will be later renamed Department of State).
- 1778
American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.
- 1775
Founding of the U.S. Army Medical Department: The Second Continental Congress passes legislation establishing "an hospital for an army consisting of 20,000 men."
- 1714
The Great Northern War: The first significant victory of the Russian Navy in the naval battle of Gangut against the Swedish Navy near the Hanko Peninsula.
- 1694
A Royal charter is granted to the Bank of England.
- 1689
Glorious Revolution: The Battle of Killiecrankie is a victory for the Jacobites.
- 1663
The English Parliament passes the second Navigation Act requiring that all goods bound for the American colonies have to be sent in English ships from English ports. After the Acts of Union 1707, Scotland would be included in the Act.
Famous Birthdays on July 27 in History 25
- 2003
Elvina Kalieva, American tennis player
- 2001
Miguel Gutiérrez, Spanish footballer
- 1995
Mercedes Russell, American basketball player
- 1995
Drew Rasmussen, American baseball player
- 1994
Winnie Harlow, Canadian model
- 1993
Max Power, English footballer
- 1993
Jordan Spieth, American golfer
- 1992
Tory Lanez, Canadian singer and rapper
- 1991
Wandy Peralta, Dominican baseball player
- 1990
Paolo Hurtado, Peruvian footballer
- 1990
Cheyenne Kimball, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
- 1990
Stephen Li-Chung Kuo, Taiwanese-American figure skater
All entries for July 27(+13)
- 1990
Kriti Sanon, Indian actress
- 1989
Maya Ali, Pakistani actress
- 1988
Adam Biddle, Australian footballer
- 1988
Yoervis Medina, Venezuelan baseball player
- 1988
Ryan Tannehill, American football player
- 1987
Jacoby Ford, American football player
- 1987
Marek Hamšík, Slovak footballer
- 1987
Jordan Hill, American basketball player
- 1987
Sarah Parsons, American ice hockey player
- 1986
DeMarre Carroll, American basketball player
- 1986
Ryan Flaherty, American baseball player
- 1986
Ryan Griffen, Australian footballer
- 1985
Husain Abdullah, American football player
Notable Deaths on July 27 in History 25
- 2024
Edna O'Brien, Irish novelist, playwright, poet and short story writer (born 1930)
- 2024
Pavel Kushnir, Russian pianist, writer, activist and political prisoner (born 1984)
- 2022
Tony Dow, American actor, film producer, director, and sculptor (born 1945)
- 2018
Marco Aurelio Denegri, Peruvian literature critic, television host and sexologist
- 2017
Sam Shepard, American playwright, actor, author, screenwriter, and director (born 1943)
- 2016
Einojuhani Rautavaara, Finnish composer (born 1928)
- 2016
James Alan McPherson, American short story writer and essayist (born 1943)
- 2016
Jerry Doyle, American actor and talk show host (born 1956)
- 2016
Piet de Jong, Dutch politician and naval officer, Minister of Defence, Prime Minister of the Netherlands (born 1915)
- 2015
Rickey Grundy, American singer-songwriter (born 1959)
- 2015
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Indian engineer, academic, and politician, 11th President of India (born 1931)
- 2015
Samuel Pisar, Polish-born American lawyer and author (born 1929)
All entries for July 27(+13)
- 2015
Anthony Shaw, English general (born 1930)
- 2014
Richard Bolt, New Zealand air marshal and pilot (born 1923)
- 2014
George Freese, American baseball player and coach (born 1926)
- 2014
Wallace Jones, American basketball player and coach (born 1926)
- 2014
Francesco Marchisano, Italian cardinal (born 1929)
- 2014
Paul Schell, American lawyer and politician, 50th Mayor of Seattle (born 1937)
- 2013
Fernando Alonso, Cuban dancer, co-founded the Cuban National Ballet (born 1914)
- 2013
Lindy Boggs, American politician and diplomat, 5th United States Ambassador to the Holy See (born 1916)
- 2013
Bud Day, American colonel and pilot, Medal of Honor recipient (born 1925)
- 2013
Kidd Kraddick, American radio host (born 1959)
- 2013
Ilya Segalovich, Russian businessman, co-founded Yandex (born 1964)
- 2012
Norman Alden, American actor (born 1924)
- 2012
R. G. Armstrong, American actor and playwright (born 1917)
That is the story of July 27 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on July 27 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on July 27 in history?
The biggest event on July 27 in history is: 2015 — Seven people are killed and many injured after gunmen attack an Indian police station in Punjab.. In total, 40 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on July 27?
25 famous people were born on July 27 in history, the best known being 2003 — Elvina Kalieva, American tennis player.
Who died on July 27?
25 notable people died on July 27 in history, including 2024 — Edna O'Brien, Irish novelist, playwright, poet and short story writer (born 1930).
Why should I read about July 27 in history?
Exploring July 27 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
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