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what happened on 27th july

27th July In History

BY CATEGORY

What do you think about history? Is it something which intrigues you or just the mere mention of the word makes you fall asleep within no time? For a few people, the second option holds good; the reason being that it is something which we had to learn in school and remembering events along with their dates for exams challenged our brains like none other. However, if we change our perspective a little and try looking at the subject from a different angle, we will definitely find it interesting. When we do not think about exams and marks and only go through the pages of history like any work of fiction, it is even more engrossing than a best-selling novel. Whether it be friendly ties or the beginning of a new hostility, history is knit with all these intricacies. When we look at it closely, we know how every single event from the past, has played a vital role in building our present. Some of those occurrences have made such an impact that along with the incident, the date on which it occurred has become famous too. For instance, the Chicago Riot and the Black July incidents have made 27th July a remarkable date in history along with other events, good and bad. Take a peek into this date and you will know why this date is essential to us.

HISTORICAL EVENTS ON 27th July

1776

Politics

Silas Deane Letter

Silas Deane was a representative sent to France by the Committee of Congress for Secret Correspondence to meet Charles Gravier, the Foreign Minister of France. On this day, he sent a letter to the Congress telling them of his success in the task assigned to him.

1789

Politics

United States Department Of State Established

On this day in 1789, the Department of Foreign Affairs was established and this was the first agency of the Federal government of the United States. This was later named as the United States Department of State and it is same as the ministry of foreign affairs in other countries.

1794

Politics

Maximilien Robespierre Arrested

One of the most infamous figures of the Reign of Terror phase of the French Revolution, Maximilien Robespierre, was detained by the National Convention on this day in 1794. Robespierre was accused for being involved in the mass murder of thousands who did not support the Revolution and for this act he and his followers were executed in Place de la Revolution, Paris.

1900

Politics

The Hun Speech

A combined force including the French, Russian, British, American, German and the Japanese, prepared to suppress the Boxer Rebellion, which took place in China. While bidding the German troops farewell, Emperor Wilhelm II, delivered a speech in which he addressed them as Huns and this word became an integral part in the anti-German propaganda during World War I.

1919

Politics

Chicago Race Riot

An African-American drowned after being stoned by whites for not abiding by the informal demarcation of a Chicago beach. This agitated the people and a racial riot broke on 27th July, 1919, after authorities denied registering a case against the ones who were involved in the incident.

1929

Politics

Geneva Convention Signed

The Geneva Convention resulted in a treaty, made to protect people who are incapable of participating in wars. These include soldiers who are sick, wounded or detained as prisoners of war. On this day in 1929, 53 countries signed the ‘Geneva Convention’ setting the rules of how prisoners of wars will be treated during such situations.

1965

Politics

Edward Heath Elected

Edward Heath, before becoming the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, served many offices in the government. On this day in 1965, Heath won the election as the leader of the ‘Conservative Party’, which came as a surprise to his opponents Reginald Maudling and Enoch Powell.

1974

Politics

Accusation On Former U.S President Nixon

A trail of scandals in the political arena followed and it involved the then president Richard M. Nixon. Therefore, the House Judiciary Committee suggested that he should be impeached and on this day in 1974, the procedures for the same began.

1976

Politics

Kakuei Tanaka Arrested

The reason behind the infamous Lockheed bribery scandal was the bribes offered by the aerospace firm ‘Lockheed Corporation’ to various countries with regard to its business. The scandals included various high profile officials, and one of them was the then Prime Minister of Japan, who was arrested on this day in 1976, and announced guilty later.

1982

Politics

Colonel Mad Mike Found Guilty

Thomas Michael Hoare (Mad Mike) served in the British Army before he became a mercenary leader. On this day in 1982, Mike, along with six accomplices of his were found guilty of seizing an aircraft and were sentenced with imprisonment term of 10 to 15 years.

1983

Politics

Black July

In July 1983, Sri Lankan army men were killed by members of the terrorist group ‘LTTE’ (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). This initiated the riots which came to be known as the Black July, and on 27th July, 1983, in the Welikada Prison, Tamil prisoners were brutally murdered by Sinhalese detainees.

1990

Politics

Belarus Gains Independence

On 27th July, 1990, the Supreme Soviet (governing legislative body) of ‘Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic’, announced the independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union. It was recognized as the official Independence Day until President Alexander Lukashenko suggested some changes in accordance to the Belarusian referendum.

1900

Politics

President A. N. R. Robinson Held Captive

‘Jamaat-al-Muslimeen’ was a Muslim group based in Trinidad and Tobago, headed by Imam Yasin Abu Bakrm. On this day in 1990, this group organized a coup against the government and in order to do that they seized the parliament and the national television headquarters. With this act, the group held captive the president and a few members of his cabinet.

1997

Politics

Massacre In Si Zerrouk

A civil war broke in Algeria after the military called off an election in which the political party ‘Islamic Salvation Front’ was a strong contender. This infuriated the terrorist group ‘Armed Islamic Group of Algeria’ (GIA). On this day in 1997, a sudden power cut was followed by guerrillas entering houses and attacking local residents of Si Zerrouk. This is known as the as the Si Zerrouk massacre and though there is no evidence, the act is thought to have been initiated by the ‘GIA’.

1202

Wars

Battle Of Basian

The Battle of Basian was fought during the Georgian–Seljuk wars between the Kingdom of Georgia and the Seljuqid Sultanate of Rum. On 27th July, 1202, the army of the Kingdom of Georgia emerged victorious battling the Sultanate of Rum.

1214

Wars

Battle Of Bouvines

During the Anglo-French War, the Battle of Bouvines was fought and the end of this battle concluded the war. On this day in 1214, the army headed by Philip II of France defeated the combined force comprising of of the English, Roman and the Flemish.

1302

Wars

Battle Of Bapheus

The Battle of Bapheus was a power struggle between the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. It was fought on the 27th of July in 1302, and in this battle the Ottomans emerged victorious.

1689

Wars

Battle Of Killiecrankie

The Battle of Killiecrankie was fought during the Glorious Revolution, on this day in 1689. In this battle, the Jacobites who wanted to bring King James VII of Scotland back to the throne, and the faction supporting King William of Orange locked horns. Although the battle was won by the Jacobites, it wasn’t a moment to rejoice, as their leader lost his life in the struggle.

1720

Wars

Battle Of Grengam

The Great Northern War was fought between the troops of the Russian Tsar and Swedish Empire, and the Battle of Grengam was one of its major episodes. This battle was fought on 27th July, 1720, on the Åland Islands, and the Russian Navy tasted victory.

1778

Wars

Battle Of Ushant

The Battle of Ushant was fought on this day in 1778 and was an important event of the American Revolution. In this battle, both the French and British armies fought tool and nail.

1880

Wars

Battle Of Maiwand

On 27th July, 1880, the Battle of Maiwand was fought between the British soldiers and the Afghan army, during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. In this battle, the Afghan forces, headed by Mohammad Ayub Khan, turned triumphant against the British army.

1917

Wars

Allies At The Yser Canal

During World War I, the Battle of Passchendaele was fought between the German army and the Allies troops. The battle began at the Western Front and on this day in 1917, the Allied forces reached the Yser Canal. This was a strategy which the Allies had planned to take control of parts of Ypres, Belgium.

1942

Wars

First Battle Of El Alamein Ends

The First Battle of El Alamein was fought between the Axis forces led by Field Marshal Edwin Rommel, and the Allies headed by British General Claude Auchinleck. On this day in 1942, the Allied forces successfully stopped the Axis from entering Egypt which was a decisive moment in the North African war.

1953

Wars

End Of Korean War

With the invasion of South Korea by North Korea the Korean War was initiated. Things took a bigger turn when the United States entered the scenario to support South Korea, and it was soon joined by People’s Republic of China providing support to North Korea. However, on 27th July, 1953, a truce between the battling parties brought an end to the war.

1964

Wars

US Sends Troops To Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, the United States supported South Vietnam against North Vietnam. On this day in 1964, United States Department of Defense decided to send 5,000 more soldiers to Vietnam making the total number of US forces stationed there sum up to 21,000.

1965

Wars

Aerial Attack On North Vietnam

On this day in 1965, during the Vietnam War, the United States air force bombarded missile launchers belonging to North Vietnam. A few days before this, North Vietnam fired missiles at the US planes in one of the first counter attacks of the war.

1862

Disasters & Natural Calamities

SS Golden Gate Sinks

The SS Golden Gate was on its way from San Francisco to Panama City on 27th July, 1862, when fire was noticed in between the art gallery and the engines. The ship was 15 miles away from Manzanillo, Colima, but the skillful handling by Capt. W.W. Hudson and Capt. R.H. Pearson, saved many from the disaster, but the ship sank.

1890

Disasters & Natural Calamities

Vincent Van Gogh Shoots Himself

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the best known painters of all time but he received fame posthumously. He belongs to the post-impressionist era but his art did not help him earn a livelihood. Gogh suffered from some psychological ailment and on 27th July, 1890, he tried to kill himself by shooting.

1996

Disasters & Natural Calamities

Explosion At Centennial Olympic Park

The 1996 Summer Olympics was held at Atlanta, Georgia in which 197 nations participated. However, this international event was marred by bombing which claimed one life and injured hundreds.

2002

Disasters & Natural Calamities

Ukraine Air Disaster

One of the local air force units was celebrating its 60th anniversary on 27th July, 2002, and hundreds of people gathered to witness the celebration. However, this day turned into a gloomy one when a jet crashed into the audience during an air show, killing around 85 people.

1940

Literature & Entertainment

Bugs Bunny Appears For The First Time

Bugs Bunny is one of those cartoon characters belonging to the creative treasure of Warner Brothers which we all are familiar with. On 27th July, 1940, with the release of the animated film A Wild Hare, this character was introduced to the world.

1981

Literature & Entertainment

Ken Barlow And Deirdre Langton Tie The Knot

Two of the most renowned characters from the British show Coronation Street were Ken Barlow and Deirdre Langton. The show’s TRP reached heights when on 27th July, 1981, the episode of Ken marrying Deirdre was telecast.

1991

Literature & Entertainment

Natalie Cole’s Album Ranks #1

Natalie Cole entered the music industry and reached the top with a style unique to herself, and not following her father, Nat King Cole’s music. However, in her album Unforgettable: With Love was composed of songs from her father’s collection and on this day in 1991, the album topped the Billboard 200 album list.

1549

Trivia

Francis Xavier Reaches Japan

Saint Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus. He was on a pursuit to have more people converted to Christianity for that he even travelled Asia. On this day in 1549, his ship arrived at Japan and there he spent more than a year to find converts.

1663

Trivia

Navigation Act Passed

On this day in 1663, the second Navigation Act was passed by the English Parliament. According to this act, any trade taking place between countries which are colonies of America should only use English ships and English ports.

1694

Trivia

Bank Of England Established

The Bank of England was established on 27th July, 1694, to manage the finances of the government, after a Royal charter was granted to it. It ranks second in the oldest cetral banks of the world.

1806

Trivia

Blackfoot Indian Shot By Explorer

Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on an expedition following the Missouri River and reached the Pacific Ocean. After this they separated into two groups and while Clark headed to the Yellowstone River, Lewis decided to go to the Marias River. This was the region inhabited by Blackfoot Indians, and when one of these men tried to steal his horses, Lewis shot him down on this day in 1806.

1866

Trivia

Transatlantic Telegraph Cable Established

After many failed attempts at laying the transatlantic telegraph cable, on 27th July, 1866, the cable was successfully laid across the Atlantic Ocean. This was made possible because of the persistent attempts made by entrepreneur Cyrus West Field, and the telegraph lines extended from Valentia Island to Heart’s Content.

1914

Trivia

Iglesia Ni Cristo Registered

Iglesia ni Cristo or the Church of Christ is a religious body initiated by Brother Felix. Y. Manalo. On this day in 1914, this church was registered with the Philippine government.

1916

Trivia

British Seaman Killed By Germans

Captain Charles Fryatt was in charge of the ship Brussels when it was travelling from Harwich to Holland. On its way, Germans interrupted the sail and arrested the crew took them to the Ruhleben internment camp, where the captain was accused and executed on this day in 1916.

1921

Trivia

The Discovery Of Insulin Hormone

Diabetes was thought to be a fatal disease and the only treatment known was restricted diet. However, the segregation of insulin on this day in 1921, by scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best was a leap in medical science. This was a blessing for the diabetic patients as it has treated many ever since the discovery.

1949

Trivia

The First Jet Aircraft Ever

De Havilland Comet was the first commercial aircraft working on jet propulsion and was manufactured at the Hatfield Aerodrome, United Kingdom. This aircraft designed by Sir Geoffrey de Havilland made its first flight on 27th July, 1949, before it was made accessible to the people.

1981

Trivia

Adam Walsh Kidnapped

A six-year-old child named Adam Walsh was kidnapped from a mall in Florida and then killed. This incident affected his father John Walsh so much that he wanted to do something to help such victims. He, therefore, became a social activist and also launched the show America’s Most Wanted of which he himself was the host.

1987

Trivia

RMS Titanic Wreckage

Premier Exhibitions Inc. (RMS Titanic Inc.) embarked on their first expedition to recover the remains of RMS Titanic on this day in 1987. Today this company is the only one which holds legal rights to the ruins of the giant ship.

1990

Trivia

Tin Snail Seizes To Exist

The vehicle Citroen 2CV, better known as the Tin Snail was created by French automobile company owned by Andre Citroen. This car which was introduced to the people in the post war era became synonymous to French culture, but by the end of 1980s it popularity declined and on this day the production of this car was closed.

1995

Trivia

Korean War Veterans Memorial Dedicated

The Korean War Veterans Memorial was built under the supervision of American Battle Monuments Commission and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory Board. It was constructed to honour the millions of American soldiers who became martyrs in the Korean War, and on this day in 1995, this was devoted to them.

2000

Trivia

NHS Plan

British Labour Party politician and Former Prime Minister announced the NHS (National Health Services) Plan on this day in 2000. This ten year plan included new changes to be made in the NHS along with the flow of funds to carry those out. In the words of Tony Blair, “Our task is to provide both the money and the reform to make sure the health service and its founding principles live on and prosper into the 21st century”.

2005

Trivia

Space Shuttle Discovery Grounded

After the disastrous end of spacecraft Columbia, NASA launched its space shuttle program two years later in 2005. Soon after the launch, this spacecraft too began shedding foam from the external tank, similar to Columbia. This made NASA ground the shuttle and to avoid any disaster.

2007

Trivia

News Helicopters Collide Midair

Two helicopters belonging to the KNXV-TV and KTVK news networks were covering a chase of police on 27th July, 2007. These two helicopters collided in mid-air, killing both the pilots, Scott Bowerbank and Craig Smith, along with the camera persons Jim Cox and Rick Krolak.

2013

Trivia

Seven Killed In Hialeah Shooting

A gunman, identified as Pedro Alberto Vargas, began mercilessly gunning down people at the Todel Apartment in Hialeah, Florida, after setting his house on fire. This horrific incident killed six and when the police rushed to the situation, the murderer was shot down.