This day in history: 27 september

Europa

• In 1066, William the Conqueror and his army set sail from the mouth of the Somme River in Picardy, northern France, beginning the Norman Conquest of England, a pivotal moment that shaped English and European history.
• In 1331, the Battle of Płowce occurred between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. Although the Poles were defeated, their leaders escaped capture.
• In 1422, after the brief Gollub War, the Teutonic Knights signed the Treaty of Melno with Poland and Lithuania, marking an important treaty in the region.
• In 1529, the Siege of Vienna began when Suleiman I attacked the city, a crucial event in European-Ottoman conflicts.
• In 1669, the Venetians surrendered the fortress of Candia to the Ottomans, ending the 21-year-long Siege of Candia, which was a significant episode in the struggle between Venice and the Ottoman Empire.
• In 1922, King Constantine I of Greece abdicated his throne in favor of his eldest son, George II, following political turmoil in Greece.
• In 1938, the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth was launched in Glasgow, Scotland, marking a milestone in maritime history.
• In 1940, the Tripartite Pact was signed in Berlin by Germany, Italy, and Japan, establishing the Axis powers during World War II.
• In 1939, during World War II, Warsaw, Poland, surrendered to Germany, and the Polish government-in-exile was established in Paris.

America

• In 1722, Samuel Adams, a Founding Father, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and later Governor of Massachusetts, was born.
• On September 27, 1777, during the American Revolution, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, became the capital of the United States for one day. This occurred after Congress evacuated Philadelphia due to the British occupation.
• In 1779, Congress appointed John Adams as minister plenipotentiary to negotiate peace with Britain, a crucial step toward ending the Revolutionary War.
• On September 27, 1854, the American paddle steamer SS Arctic sank off Newfoundland after a collision, resulting in significant loss of life.
• In 1903, the “Wreck of the Old 97,” a famous American rail disaster, occurred and later inspired a popular ballad.
• On this day in 1908, production of the Model T automobile began at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit, revolutionizing the American automobile industry.
• On September 27, 1941, the SS Patrick Henry, the first U.S. Liberty ship, was launched in Baltimore, marking a key moment in the U.S. shipbuilding effort during World War II.
• In 1944, the Kassel Mission resulted in the largest loss by a USAAF group on any mission during World War II.

Asia

• Taliban Take Over Kabul (1996)
  On September 27, 1996, the Taliban seized control of Kabul, Afghanistan, ousting President Burhanuddin Rabbani’s government and establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. This marked a major turning point in Afghan history and had significant regional and global repercussions.
• Establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic (1962)
  On this day in 1962, after a coup led by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Yemen Arab Republic was proclaimed, ending the centuries-old rule of the Imamate in North Yemen and ushering in a republican era.
• Typhoon Vera Strikes Japan (1959)
  Typhoon Vera, one of the deadliest typhoons in Japanese history, struck Japan on September 27, 1959, resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths and widespread devastation.
• National League for Democracy Founded in Myanmar (1988)
  On September 27, 1988, Aung San Suu Kyi and other activists established the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Myanmar to fight against military dictatorship, a pivotal moment in the country’s pro-democracy movement.
• Decriminalization of Adultery in India (2018)
  The Supreme Court of India decriminalized adultery on September 27, 2018, overturning a 158-year-old law and marking a significant step toward gender equality in the country.
• In 1942, during World War II, the last day of the Matanikau action on Guadalcanal saw intense fighting between U.S. Marines and Japanese forces.
• In 1977, Japan Airlines Flight 715 crashed during approach to Subang Airport in Malaysia, resulting in 34 fatalities.
• In 1992, Palestinian prisoners began a 15-day hunger strike, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.

Africa

• In 1916, Iyasu V was deposed as ruler of Ethiopia in a palace coup, replaced by his aunt Zewditu. This marked a major shift in Ethiopian leadership and had lasting effects on the country’s monarchy and politics.
• On September 27, 1962, the Yemen Arab Republic was established after a coup, ending the centuries-old rule of the Imamate in North Yemen. While Yemen is geographically in the Middle East, the event had significant influence on the Horn of Africa and the broader Arab-African world.