✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 361st day of the year

December 27

A look at December 27 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Louis Pasteur and Juan Luis Sanfuentes, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♑ZodiacCapricorn ◈BirthstoneTurquoise ❀Birth flowerHolly
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2009

    2009 Iranian presidential election protests

    Iranian election protests: On the Day of Ashura in Tehran, Iran, government security forces fire upon demonstrators.

    Protests against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
  2. 2007

    Mombasa

    Riots erupt in Mombasa, Kenya, after Mwai Kibaki is declared the winner of the presidential election, triggering a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis.

    City in Mombasa County,
  3. 2007

    Prime minister

    Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto is assassinated in a shooting incident.

    Top minister of cabinet
  4. 1983

    Pope John Paul II

    Pope John Paul II visits Mehmet Ali Ağca in Rebibbia's prison and personally forgives him for the 1981 attack on him in St. Peter's Square.

    Head of the Catholic
  5. 1949

    Indonesian National Revolution

    Indonesian National Revolution: The Netherlands officially recognizes Indonesian independence. End of the Dutch East Indies.

    1945–1949 Indonesian conflict and
  6. 1945

    International Monetary Fund

    The International Monetary Fund is created with the signing of an agreement by 29 nations.

    Financial institution and UN
  7. 1939

    1939 Erzincan earthquake

    The 7.8 Mw Erzincan earthquake shakes eastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). At least 32,700 people were killed.

    Earthquake in Turkey
  8. 1932

    Radio City Music Hall

    Radio City Music Hall, "Showplace of the Nation", opens in New York City.

    Venue and theater in
  9. 1831

    Charles Darwin

    Charles Darwin embarks on his journey aboard HMS Beagle, during which he will begin to formulate his theory of evolution.

    English naturalist and biologist
  10. 537

    Hagia Sophia

    The second Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is consecrated.

    Mosque and former church
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Famous birthday twins

Born on December 27

Louis Pasteur

b. 1822

French chemist and microbiologist

Juan Luis Sanfuentes

b. 1858

Chilean lawyer and politician, 17th President of Chile

Adil Rami

b. 1985

French footballer

Marlene Dietrich

b. 1901

German-American actress and singer

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

b. 1986

Jamaican sprinter

Johannes Kepler

b. 1571

German mathematician, astronomer, and astrologer

Salman Khan

b. 1965

Indian film actor and producer

Jean Bartik

b. 1924

American computer scientist and engineer

Deaths

  • 2007Benazir Bhutto, Pakistani politician, Prime Minister of Pakistan
  • 2002George Roy Hill, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 1979Hafizullah Amin, Afghan educator and politician, 2nd General Secretary of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan
  • 1923Gustave Eiffel, French architect and engineer, co-designed the Eiffel Tower
  • 1743Hyacinthe Rigaud, French painter
  • 683Emperor Gaozong of Tang, 3rd emperor of the Chinese Tang dynasty

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Francesco Spoto
  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Sára Salkaházi
  • —Christian feast day: Fabiola
  • —Christian feast day: John the Apostle
  • —Christian feast day: Pope Maximus of Alexandria
  • —Christian feast day: Nicarete
  • —Christian feast day: Theodorus and Theophanes
  • —Christian feast day: December 27 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

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