Louis Pasteur
b. 1822
French chemist and microbiologist
On This Day · The 361st day of the year
December 27
December 27 carries 10 recorded events spanning between 537 and 2009. The second Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is consecrated.
Compiled & reviewed by Roman Tailor · Last reviewed July 13, 2026
What happened on December 27?
December 27 is the 361st day of the year. It marks 10 notable events in history, dated between 537 and 2009. Famous people born on December 27 include Louis Pasteur, Juan Luis Sanfuentes and Adil Rami.
The shape of the day
Few dates reach as far back as December 27: its recorded history runs unusually deep, stretching to 537. Its center of gravity is the 20th century, and politics and nation-building recur.
Capricorn is the sign for December 27 — read more on the Capricorn page, or see December's birthstone & birth flower.
Events
10 notable moments- 537
Hagia Sophia
The second Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is consecrated.
- 1831
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin embarks on his journey aboard HMS Beagle, during which he will begin to formulate his theory of evolution.
- 1932
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall, "Showplace of the Nation", opens in New York City.
- 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.
- 1945
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is created with the signing of an agreement by 29 nations.
- 1949
Indonesian National Revolution
Indonesian National Revolution: The Netherlands officially recognizes Indonesian independence. End of the Dutch East Indies.
- 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.
- 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.
- 2007
Prime minister
Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto is assassinated in a shooting incident.
- 2009
2009 Iranian presidential election protests
Iranian election protests: On the Day of Ashura in Tehran, Iran, government security forces fire upon demonstrators.
Famous birthday twins
Born on December 27Juan 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
- 2002George Roy Hill
- 1979Hafizullah Amin
- 1923Gustave Eiffel
- 1743Hyacinthe Rigaud
- 683Emperor Gaozong of Tang
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)
Historical facts, event summaries, and biographical lines above are adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license. DateLore adds curation, structure, and original editorial commentary. DateLore is not affiliated with the Wikimedia Foundation.
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