Europa
- 1933: Reichstag Fire in Berlin, Germany
The German parliament building, the Reichstag, was set on fire. This pivotal event was used by the Nazis to justify severe repression against political opponents and is widely seen as a turning point that facilitated Adolf Hitler’s consolidation of power in Germany. - 1943: Rosenstrasse Protest in Berlin
Non-violent protests by the “Aryan” wives and relatives of detained Jewish men began in Berlin. These protests are notable for their role in preventing the deportation of about 2,000 Jews from the city. - 1617: Treaty of Stolbovo
Sweden and Russia signed the Treaty of Stolbovo, ending the Ingrian War and effectively shutting Russia out of the Baltic Sea, a significant moment in Northern European geopolitics. - 1594: Henry IV Crowned King of France
Henry IV was crowned King of France, marking a key moment in French history as he later issued the Edict of Nantes, granting religious tolerance to Huguenots. - 1900: Founding of FC Bayern München
The famous German football club Bayern Munich was founded in Munich, Germany. - 1921: International Working Union of Socialist Parties Founded
This organization was established in Vienna, Austria, as a socialist international. - 1971: First Dutch Abortion Clinic Opens
Doctors in the Netherlands began performing abortions at the first Dutch abortion clinic in Arnhem, marking a significant step in European reproductive rights. - 1932: Mäntsälä Rebellion begins in Finland—a far-right movement’s attempted coup.
- 1948: Finland signs a defense treaty with the Soviet Union.
America
- 1801: Washington, D.C. placed under U.S. Congress jurisdiction
The District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801 made Washington, D.C. officially subject to the authority of the U.S. Congress. - 1860: Abraham Lincoln’s Cooper Union Speech
Abraham Lincoln delivered a pivotal speech at Cooper Union in New York City, which played an important role in his eventual election as President. - 1864: Arrival of Union Prisoners at Andersonville
During the Civil War, the first Northern prisoners arrived at the infamous Confederate prison at Andersonville, Georgia. - 1879: Discovery of Saccharin
The artificial sweetener saccharin was announced, marking a milestone in food science. - 1922: Supreme Court Upholds Women’s Right to Vote
The Supreme Court rebuffed a challenge to the Nineteenth Amendment, confirming women’s right to vote in the United States (Leser v. Garnett). - 1939: Sit-down Strikes Outlawed
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against sit-down strikes, impacting labor rights and union tactics. - 1940: Discovery of Carbon-14
Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben discovered the radioactive isotope carbon-14, which would become crucial for radiocarbon dating. - 1943: Smith Mine Disaster in Montana
An explosion at Smith Mine #3 in Bearcreek, Montana, killed 74 miners—the worst coal mine disaster in Montana history. - 1951: Ratification of the Twenty-second Amendment
The U.S. ratified the amendment limiting presidents to two terms in office. - 1973: Wounded Knee Occupation Begins
Members of the American Indian Movement occupied Wounded Knee, South Dakota, protesting U.S. government policies toward Native Americans. - 1991: Liberation of Kuwait Announced
President George H.W. Bush declared that Kuwait had been liberated and Iraq’s army defeated, marking the end of major combat in the Gulf War. - 2010: Massive Earthquake in Chile
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile, causing widespread destruction and triggering a tsunami.
Asia
- 1947: The Spark of the February 28 Incident in Taiwan
On February 27, 1947, in Taipei, agents of the State Monopoly Bureau struck a Taiwanese widow suspected of selling contraband cigarettes. When a crowd gathered in protest, an officer fired into the crowd, fatally wounding a man. This incident triggered widespread protests across Taiwan, culminating in the large-scale anti-government uprising known as the February 28 Incident (or 228 Incident) the following day. The Kuomintang government violently suppressed the revolt, leading to thousands of civilian deaths and decades of martial law. This event is a pivotal moment in Taiwan’s modern history and is commemorated annually. - 2021: Major Protests and Conflict in Asia
On February 27, 2021, Myanmar saw the most extensive crackdown on anti-coup protests since demonstrations began, with security forces critically wounding a woman and detaining hundreds. On the same day, Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh and drones over Jizan, both launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, reflecting the ongoing Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict. - 1942: Battle of the Java Sea
From February 27 to March 1, 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea took place. This was a major naval engagement in Southeast Asia during World War II, resulting in a decisive Japanese victory over Allied forces, including the sinking of the largest U.S. warship in the region.
Africa
- 1881: Battle of Majuba Hill (South Africa)
This decisive battle of the First Boer War saw Boer forces defeat the British, leading to the end of the war and the recognition of the South African Republic’s independence. The victory is commemorated annually in South Africa as Majuba Day, symbolizing resistance and the fight for independence. - 1900: Surrender at the Battle of Paardeberg (South Africa)
During the Second Boer War, British forces received the unconditional surrender of Boer General Piet Cronjé at Paardeberg, marking a significant turning point in the conflict. - 1902: Execution of Harry “Breaker” Morant and Peter Handcock (South Africa)
Australian soldiers Morant and Handcock were executed in Pretoria after being convicted of war crimes during the Second Boer War, an event that remains controversial in both South African and Australian history. - 1978: Death of Robert Sobukwe (South Africa)
Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, founder and first president of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), died in Kimberley General Hospital. Sobukwe was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement. - 1980: Zimbabwe’s First Multiracial Election
Zimbabwe held its first multiracial elections, a crucial step toward the country’s independence from colonial rule. - 1986: Egyptian Conscripts Riot
Around Cairo, Egyptian conscripts rioted, reflecting unrest within the military and broader social tensions in Egypt at the time. - 1864: The town of Bethlehem, Free State, was founded in South Africa.
- World NGO Day: February 27 is also observed as World NGO Day, celebrated in many African countries to recognize the work of non-governmental organizations.
This day in history: 27 february