This day in history: 27 january

Europa

• January 27 is observed as International Holocaust Remembrance Day across Europe and globally. This date was chosen because on January 27, 1945, Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camps in Poland, where over a million people—mostly Jews—were murdered by the Nazi regime. The day commemorates the genocide of six million Jews, along with millions of other victims, and serves as a solemn reminder of the horrors perpetrated in Europe during the Holocaust. The United Nations General Assembly officially designated this day in 2005 to honor the memory of Holocaust victims and to promote Holocaust education worldwide.
• 1756: Birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Salzburg, Austria. Mozart is one of the most influential and celebrated composers in the history of Western music.
• 1916: The British government passed the Military Service Act, introducing conscription in the United Kingdom during World War I.
• 1918: The Finnish Civil War began, a significant conflict in Finnish and European history.
• 1944: The 900-day Siege of Leningrad was lifted, marking a major turning point on the Eastern Front in World War II.
• 1943: The first American bombing attack on Germany during World War II took place, targeting Wilhelmshaven.
• 1973: The Paris Peace Accords were signed, ending direct U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. While not strictly a European event, the accords were signed in Paris, highlighting Europe’s role as a venue for major international diplomacy.

America

• 1973: Paris Peace Accords Signed
  The United States, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the Viet Cong signed the Paris Peace Accords, officially ending direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War, America’s longest war at the time. The agreement provided for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of U.S. forces, and the exchange of prisoners.
• 1967: Apollo 1 Tragedy
  Astronauts Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White, and Roger B. Chaffee died in a flash fire during a pre-launch test for the Apollo 1 mission at Cape Kennedy, Florida. This disaster was a major setback for NASA’s lunar landing program.
• 1880: Thomas Edison Patents the Light Bulb
  Thomas Edison was granted a patent for the electric incandescent lamp, marking a milestone in the development and commercialization of electric lighting.
• 1888: National Geographic Society Founded
  The National Geographic Society, a leading institution for geography, exploration, and science, was established in Washington, D.C..
• 1943: First All-American Bombing Raid on Germany
  The U.S. Eighth Air Force launched its first all-American bombing raid against Germany, targeting Wilhelmshaven during World War II.
• 1951: Nuclear Testing Begins at Nevada Test Site
  The era of atomic testing in the Nevada desert began with the first nuclear detonation at Frenchman Flat.
• 1967: Outer Space Treaty Signed
  The United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union signed the Outer Space Treaty, banning the deployment of nuclear weapons in outer space and restricting the use of the Moon to peaceful purposes.

Asia

• 1142: Song dynasty General Yue Fei was executed, a pivotal moment in Chinese history symbolizing loyalty and resistance against foreign invasion.
• 1900: During the Boxer Rebellion, foreign diplomats in Beijing demanded that the Boxer rebels be disciplined, reflecting the international tensions of the era.
• 1556: Mughal Emperor Humayun died, a major turning point in Mughal and South Asian history.
• 1921: Establishment of the Imperial Bank of India, which would become the State Bank of India, marking a milestone in Indian banking.
• Chinese Lunar New Year Preparations: In 2025, January 27 marked “Wan Jai” (Preparation Day) for Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand, with families gathering essentials and preparing for ancestor worship. The Chinese New Year is widely celebrated across Asia, including in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, with vibrant festivals, cultural performances, and family reunions.
• Japan: January 27 is the birthday of Tasuku Honjo (1942), Nobel Prize-winning Japanese immunologist.
• Vietnam and Korea: The Lunar New Year (Tet in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea) is celebrated around this period, each with unique customs and traditions, often involving family gatherings, ancestor worship, and cultural rituals.

Africa

• 1996: Military Coup in Niger
  On January 27, 1996, Colonel Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara led a successful military coup in Niger, overthrowing the democratically elected government of President Mahamane Ousmane. This event marked a significant moment of political instability in West Africa.
• While January 27 is not widely marked by a single iconic event in South Africa, it falls within a period of intense political activity during the anti-apartheid struggle. The South African History Archive lists numerous significant events in late January, such as solidarity actions, political trials, and diplomatic developments, reflecting the broader context of resistance and change in the region.