Europa
- 1906 – First Meeting of the Russian State Duma
The State Duma of the Russian Empire convened for the first time, marking a significant development in Russian constitutional history. - 1909 – Overthrow of Sultan Abdul Hamid II
The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Abdul Hamid II, was overthrown and succeeded by his brother, Mehmed V. This event was pivotal in the late Ottoman period and the Young Turk Revolution. - 1941 – German Troops Enter Athens
During World War II, German forces entered Athens, Greece, signifying the occupation of the Greek capital and a major moment in the European theater of the war. - 1945 – End of WWII in Finland
The last German formations withdrew from Finland to Norway, bringing the Lapland War and World War II in Finland to an end. - 1992 – Proclamation of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Serbia and Montenegro proclaimed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, marking a new phase in the Balkans following the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. - 1992 – Betty Boothroyd Elected Speaker of the UK House of Commons
Betty Boothroyd became the first woman to be elected Speaker in the 700-year history of the British House of Commons. - 1992 – Former Soviet Republics Join IMF and World Bank
The Russian Federation and 12 other former Soviet republics became members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, integrating into the global economic system after the collapse of the USSR. - 2012 – Bucharest Ministerial Conference (Bologna Process)
On 26–27 April 2012, 47 European ministers responsible for higher education met in Bucharest as part of the Bologna Process, shaping the European Higher Education Area.
America
- 1805 – Battle of Derna (First Barbary War)
U.S. Marines and Berber allies attacked the Tripolitan city of Derna. This event is immortalized in the line “to the shores of Tripoli” in the Marines’ Hymn. - 1813 – War of 1812: Battle of York
American troops captured York (now Toronto), the capital of Upper Canada. - 1861 – Lincoln Suspends Habeas Corpus
President Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War, granting the government greater powers to detain individuals without trial. - 1865 – SS Sultana Disaster
The steamboat SS Sultana exploded on the Mississippi River, killing up to 1,800 people, mostly paroled Union prisoners of war returning home. This remains the deadliest maritime disaster in U.S. history. - 1865 – John Wilkes Booth’s Body Identified
The body of John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln’s assassin, was examined aboard the USS Montauk in Washington, D.C.. - 1865 – Cornell University Established
The New York State Senate created Cornell University as the state’s land grant institution. - 1911 – U.S. Senate Leadership Compromise
After the death of William P. Frye, a compromise was reached to rotate the office of President pro tempore of the United States Senate. - 1981 – Xerox PARC Introduces Computer Mouse
Xerox PARC debuted the computer mouse, a major innovation in personal computing. - 2006 – Construction Begins on Freedom Tower
Construction began on the Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center) at the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City. - 2011 – Deadly Tornado Outbreak
During the 2011 Super Outbreak, 112 tornadoes struck across the southeastern United States, resulting in 319 deaths, making it one of the deadliest tornado days in U.S. history.
Asia
- 1521 – Death of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed by forces led by the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan. In the Philippines, April 27 is now celebrated as Lapu-Lapu Day, honoring the resistance against foreign colonization. - 1910 – Birth of Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo, who would become the 3rd President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), was born on this day. - 1978 – Saur Revolution in Afghanistan
The Saur Revolution began in Afghanistan, leading to the overthrow of President Daoud Khan and the establishment of a communist government. - 1989 – Tiananmen Square Protests Escalate
On April 27, 1989, protesting students took over Tiananmen Square in Beijing, marking a pivotal escalation in the pro-democracy movement that would culminate in the June 4 crackdown. - 2013 – Death of Aloysius Jin Luxian
Aloysius Jin Luxian, a prominent Chinese bishop, passed away. - 2018 – Panmunjom Declaration Signed
North and South Korea signed the Panmunjom Declaration, officially stating their intention to end the Korean conflict and work toward peace and denuclearization on the peninsula.
Africa
- 1961 – Sierra Leone Gains Independence
Sierra Leone declared its independence from British colonial rule on April 27, 1961, with Sir Milton Margai becoming the country’s first Prime Minister. This marked the end of over 150 years of British administration and is celebrated annually as Sierra Leone’s Independence Day. - 1972 – Death of Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana and a prominent figure in Africa’s independence movement, died in exile in Conakry, Guinea, on April 27, 1972. - 1994 – South Africa’s First Democratic Elections (Freedom Day)
April 27, 1994, marks the first post-apartheid, non-racial democratic elections in South Africa. For the first time, citizens of all races could vote, leading to Nelson Mandela’s election as President. This day is celebrated annually as Freedom Day, symbolizing the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new democratic era.
This day in history: 27 april