On This Day in History – November 27

November 27 is filled with milestones that span science, politics, literature, and human achievement. From the dawn of civilizations to revolutionary discoveries and global cultural shifts, this date celebrates the power of progress and resilience.

Major Events

1. 1095 – Pope Urban II launches the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont, urging Christians to reclaim the Holy Land, setting centuries of religious conflict into motion.
2. 1703 – The Great Storm of 1703 devastates southern England, killing over 8,000 people and sinking hundreds of ships, one of the worst natural disasters in British history.
3. 1839 – The American Statistical Association is founded in Boston, becoming one of the oldest professional societies in the U.S.
4. 1895 – Alfred Nobel signs his will in Paris, establishing the Nobel Prizes for peace, literature, and science.
5. 1912 – Albania declares independence from the Ottoman Empire, forming a new European nation.
6. 1924 – The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is held in New York City, becoming an annual American holiday tradition.
7. 1942 – French naval forces scuttle their fleet at Toulon to prevent it from falling into Nazi hands during World War II.
8. 1971 – The Soviet probe Mars 2 crashes on Mars, becoming the first human-made object to reach the planet’s surface.
9. 1978 – San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk are assassinated at City Hall by former supervisor Dan White, shocking the nation and galvanizing the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
10. 1983 – Colombian flight Avianca 011 crashes near Madrid, Spain, killing 181 people.
11. 2001 – The Hubble Space Telescope detects the atmosphere of an exoplanet for the first time, marking a milestone in astronomy.
12. 2015 – A Russian Su-24 fighter jet is shot down by Turkey near the Syrian border, escalating international tensions.

Famous Birthdays

1. Anders Celsius (1701–1744) — Swedish astronomer who developed the Celsius temperature scale.
2. Charles A. Beard (1874–1948) — American historian and author known for his interpretation of U.S. constitutional history.
3. Chaim Weizmann (1874–1952) — Israeli chemist and statesman, first President of Israel.
4. Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) — American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter, widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians in history.
5. Bruce Lee (1940–1973) — Hong Kong-American martial artist, actor, and cultural icon who revolutionized martial arts cinema.
6. Caroline Kennedy (1957– ) — American author, attorney, and diplomat, daughter of President John F. Kennedy.
7. William F. Buckley Jr. (1925–2008) — American conservative author and founder of National Review.
8. James Avery (1945–2013) — American actor best known as Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
9. Bill Nye (1955– ) — American science educator and television presenter known as “The Science Guy.”
10. Robin Givens (1964– ) — American actress and model known for Head of the Class.

Notable Deaths

1. Edward Rutledge (1749–1800) — Youngest signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
2. Horace (65–8 BC) — Roman lyric poet famous for his odes and satires.
3. John Bunyan (1628–1688) — English preacher and author of The Pilgrim’s Progress.
4. Ada Lovelace (1815–1852) — English mathematician and writer, regarded as the first computer programmer.
5. John Philip Sousa (1854–1932) — American composer and conductor known as “The March King.”
6. Eugene O’Neill (1888–1953) — American playwright and Nobel laureate, author of Long Day’s Journey into Night.
7. Rachel Roberts (1927–1980) — Welsh actress known for This Sporting Life.
8. Harvey Milk (1930–1978) — American politician and gay rights activist, assassinated in office.
9. George Moscone (1929–1978) — Mayor of San Francisco, also assassinated on this date.

Holidays

• Independence Day (Albania) — Celebrates Albania’s declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.
• Navy Day (Iran) — Honors the Iranian Navy’s service and commemorates major military victories.
• Lancashire Day (England) — Celebrates the historic county of Lancashire and its heritage.
• National Electric Guitar Day (U.S.) — Pays tribute to the innovation that transformed modern music.
• Maaveerar Naal (Sri Lankan Tamil Remembrance Day) — Honors the lives lost in the Sri Lankan civil conflict.

Fun Facts

• Alfred Nobel’s will shocked his family by donating most of his fortune to fund the Nobel Prizes—worth nearly $200 million in today’s money.
• The first Macy’s Parade in 1924 featured live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo instead of giant balloons.
• Both Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Lee were born on this date, cementing November 27 as a day for icons of creativity and physical mastery.
• The Mars 2 probe’s crash in 1971 made it the first human-made object to touch Mars, paving the way for future missions.
• The assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Moscone led to the passing of California’s first gay rights legislation in the 1980s.