This day in history: 27 may

Europa

Medieval and Early Modern Europe

• 1096: Count Emicho and his followers entered Mainz (in present-day Germany) and massacred at least 600 Jewish citizens during the First Crusade.
• 1120: Richard III of Capua was anointed as Prince, a notable event in the history of southern Italy.

Modern Europe

• 1703: The city of Saint Petersburg was founded by Tsar Peter the Great, which would become a major cultural and political center in Russia and Europe.

Contemporary Europe

• Treaty of Copenhagen: On May 27, 1660, the Treaty of Copenhagen was signed between Sweden and Denmark-Norway, ending a generation of warfare and helping to establish the modern boundaries between those countries.

America

Golden Gate Bridge Opens (1937)

• The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, opened to pedestrian traffic on May 27, 1937, connecting San Francisco to Marin County and becoming a symbol of American engineering and design.

Memorial Day

• In some years, Memorial Day-a federal holiday honoring U.S. military personnel who died in service-is observed on May 27, as it falls on the last Monday in May. For example, in 2024, Memorial Day was observed on May 27.

Other Notable Events

• On May 27, 1933, the U.S. Federal Securities Act was signed into law, requiring the registration of securities with the Federal Trade Commission.
• On May 27, 1965, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was completed, becoming a major symbol of westward expansion in the United States.
• On May 27, 1875, the first game of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs (now Major League Baseball) was played in St. Louis.

Asia

Battle of Shanhai Pass (1644, China)

• On May 27, 1644, Manchu regent Dorgon defeated rebel leader Li Zicheng at the Battle of Shanhai Pass. This victory allowed the Manchus to enter and conquer Beijing, marking a pivotal moment in the fall of the Ming dynasty and the rise of the Qing dynasty.

Death of Jawaharlal Nehru (1964, India)

• Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India and a central figure in Indian politics, died on May 27, 1964.

Java Earthquake (2006, Indonesia)

• A massive earthquake struck Java on May 27, 2006, resulting in about 6,000 deaths and leaving 1.5 million people homeless.

British-Brunei Treaty (1847, Southeast Asia)

• On May 27, 1847, the British-Brunei Treaty of Friendship and Commerce was signed. As a result, Brunei lost control of Labuan and several smaller islands to the British.

Geneva Conference on Indochina (1954, Switzerland/Asia)

• On May 27, 1954, a key session of the Geneva Conference on Indochina took place, involving discussions about the future of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia after the First Indochina War.

Africa

Children’s Day in Nigeria

• May 27 is celebrated as Children’s Day in Nigeria, a national event recognizing and promoting the rights and well-being of children.

2010: Lesotho–South Africa Petition

• On May 27, 2010, the People’s Charter Movement in Lesotho delivered a petition with 30,000 signatures to the South African High Commission, requesting the integration of Lesotho into South Africa.