August 27 has witnessed a series of remarkable historical events that have shaped the course of human history across various domains.
From significant battles and political milestones to groundbreaking technological advancements and efforts toward global peace, this date has seen it all.
The following article delves into twenty key events that occurred on August 27, offering a chronological journey through time to explore their impact and legacy.
August 27th – On this Day in History
479 BC – Battle of Plataea: Decisive Greek Victory Over Persia
The Battle of Plataea, fought in 479 BC, marked the end of the Persian Empire’s invasion of Greece during the Greco-Persian Wars. Under the command of Mardonius, the Persian forces faced a coalition of Greek city-states, including Sparta and Athens, united under the generalship of Pausanias.
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This battle was significant because it showcased the resilience and tactical superiority of the Greek hoplites over the numerically superior Persian army.
The Greeks’ decisive victory at Plataea not only expelled the Persians from Greek territories but also preserved the independence and cultural development of ancient Greece, influencing Western civilization profoundly.
410 – Sacking of Rome: End of an Era
In 410 AD, the Visigoths, led by their king Alaric, sacked Rome, marking a pivotal event in the decline of the Western Roman Empire. For three days, the city, once the heart of a vast empire, was subjected to looting and destruction. This invasion shocked the Roman world and symbolized the vulnerability and fading power of Rome.
The sack of Rome had long-lasting impacts on the Roman Empire’s political and social structures, leading to further instability and eventual fragmentation. It was a significant milestone in the transition from the ancient world to the medieval period in European history.
663 – Battle of Baekgang: Silla–Tang Alliance Triumphs
The Battle of Baekgang, occurring in 663 AD, was a crucial conflict in the Korean Peninsula involving the Silla–Tang alliance against the forces of the Korean kingdom Baekje and their Yamato Japanese allies.
The battle ended in a decisive victory for the Silla–Tang forces, effectively quashing the Baekje restoration attempt.
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This battle not only solidified the Silla kingdom’s dominance in the region but also marked the decline of Japanese influence in Korean affairs. The Silla–Tang victory paved the way for the unification of the Korean Peninsula under the Silla dynasty, shaping the future of Korea’s political landscape.
1172 – Coronation of Henry the Young King and Margaret of France
In 1172, Henry the Young King and Margaret of France were crowned junior king and queen of England, a unique event in English history.
Henry the Young King, son of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, was crowned during his father’s reign as part of a strategy to secure the succession and strengthen royal authority.
Despite his coronation, Henry the Young King had limited actual power and often rebelled against his father. His marriage to Margaret of France, daughter of Louis VII of France, was intended to solidify alliances between the English and French crowns.
This coronation highlighted the complex and often turbulent nature of medieval European politics.
1290 – Temür’s Enthronement as Khagan of the Mongol Empire
In 1290, Temür, a grandson of the legendary Genghis Khan, was enthroned as the Khagan (Great Khan) of the Mongol Empire. Temür’s rise to power came during a period of political fragmentation and internal strife within the Mongol Empire.
As Khagan, Temür worked to stabilize the empire, restore central authority, and maintain the legacy of his grandfather. His reign saw efforts to balance the interests of various Mongol factions and to continue the policies of his predecessors.
Temür’s enthronement marked a continuation of Mongol dominance in Eurasia, albeit with growing challenges to its cohesion and power.
1549 – Jesuit Priest Francis Xavier Lands in Japan
In 1549, Jesuit priest Francis Xavier arrived in Kagoshima, Japan, marking the beginning of significant Catholic missionary activity in the country. Xavier, one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), aimed to spread Christianity to the Far East.
His arrival in Japan was facilitated by the cooperation of local feudal lords, who were intrigued by Western knowledge and trade. Xavier’s mission introduced Christianity to Japan, leading to the establishment of numerous Christian communities.
Despite initial success, his efforts faced challenges, including cultural differences and resistance from traditional religious establishments. Xavier’s work laid the foundation for future missionary activities in Asia and significantly influenced the cultural and religious landscape of Japan.
1593 – Assassination Attempt on King Henry IV of France
In 1593, Pierre Barrière, a fervent Catholic, attempted to assassinate King Henry IV of France. Barrière’s plot was motivated by religious fervor and opposition to Henry IV, who had converted from Protestantism to Catholicism to ascend the French throne and end the Wars of Religion.
The assassination attempt failed when Barrière was arrested before he could carry out his plan. This incident highlighted the intense religious conflicts and political instability in France during the late 16th century.
Despite numerous threats to his life, Henry IV ultimately secured his reign and implemented policies that promoted religious tolerance and peace, most notably the Edict of Nantes in 1598.
1610 – Polish–Muscovite War: Battle of Klushino
The Battle of Klushino, fought on June 24, 1610, during the Polish–Muscovite War, was a significant conflict between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Tsardom of Russia. Commanded by Hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski, the Polish forces achieved a remarkable victory against the numerically superior Russian army and its foreign mercenaries.
This battle demonstrated the effectiveness of the Polish cavalry, particularly the winged hussars, in overcoming larger enemy forces. The victory at Klushino paved the way for the Polish occupation of Moscow later that year. However, the long-term gains were limited, as internal and external pressures eventually forced the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth to withdraw from Russia.
1776 – Battle of Long Island: British Victory in the American Revolutionary War
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn, took place on August 27, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. British forces under General William Howe faced the Continental Army led by General George Washington. The battle was a significant early engagement in the war, resulting in a decisive British victory.
Howe’s forces outflanked and overwhelmed the American troops, forcing Washington to execute a strategic retreat to Manhattan. Despite the loss, Washington’s successful retreat preserved the Continental Army, allowing it to continue fighting for independence.
The Battle of Long Island underscored the challenges faced by the American forces and the tactical prowess of the British army.
1793 – French Revolution: The Levée en Masse
On August 27, 1793, the French National Convention decreed the levée en masse, a mass conscription that required all French citizens to contribute to the war effort during the French Revolution.
This decree was a response to the external threats from European monarchies aiming to suppress the revolutionary government and the internal revolts within France.
The levée en masse mobilized hundreds of thousands of soldiers and resources, transforming the nature of warfare by involving the entire nation in the defense of the revolution.
This policy played a crucial role in enabling the revolutionary armies to repel foreign invaders and maintain the revolutionary government’s power. The levée en masse exemplified the revolutionary ideals of collective national effort and the sacrifice for the common good.
1813 – Battle of Dresden: Napoleon’s Victory Against Allied Forces
In 1813, during the War of the Sixth Coalition, Napoleon I achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Dresden, which took place from August 26 to 27.
Despite being outnumbered, Napoleon’s forces defeated the larger allied armies of Austria, Russia, and Prussia. The battle showcased Napoleon’s tactical genius and the resilience of the French army.
However, despite this victory, the overall strategic situation for Napoleon was deteriorating. The allied forces continued to press their advantage, eventually leading to Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Leipzig in October 1813.
The Battle of Dresden was one of Napoleon’s last major victories and highlighted both his military prowess and the growing strength of the coalition against him.
1828 – Uruguay’s Independence Proclaimed
On August 27, 1828, Uruguay was formally proclaimed independent during preliminary peace talks brokered by Great Britain between Brazil and Argentina. The region, previously known as the Cisplatina Province, had been a battleground for control between the two larger neighboring nations.
The protracted conflict, known as the Cisplatine War, concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Montevideo, which recognized Uruguay as a sovereign nation. This event marked the beginning of Uruguay’s journey as an independent state, free from the domination of Brazil and Argentina.
The establishment of Uruguay’s independence was a significant moment in South American history, contributing to the broader movement for national sovereignty and stability in the region.
1859 – Discovery of Petroleum in Titusville, Pennsylvania
On August 27, 1859, Edwin Drake successfully drilled the first commercially viable oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of the modern petroleum industry. This discovery revolutionized energy production and had profound economic and social impacts.
Drake’s well, drilled to a depth of 69 feet, produced oil that could be refined into kerosene, providing a cheaper and more efficient alternative to whale oil for lighting.
The success of the Titusville well sparked a rush of investment and development in oil extraction and refining technologies. The petroleum industry rapidly expanded, transforming transportation, industry, and everyday life by providing a reliable and abundant source of energy.
1896 – Anglo-Zanzibar War: The Shortest War in History
On August 27, 1896, the Anglo-Zanzibar War took place, lasting between 38 and 45 minutes, making it the shortest recorded war in history. The conflict erupted following the death of Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini of Zanzibar and the succession of Sultan Khalid bin Barghash, who was not recognized by the British authorities.
The British, favoring a more compliant successor, issued an ultimatum for Khalid to step down. When Khalid refused, British naval forces bombarded the sultan’s palace and other strategic locations. Khalid’s forces quickly surrendered, and a pro-British sultan was installed. The war highlighted the imperial power dynamics of the era and Britain’s dominance in East Africa.
1916 – Romania Enters World War I
On August 27, 1916, the Kingdom of Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary, joining the Allied powers in World War I. Romania’s entry into the war was motivated by the desire to unite all ethnic Romanians and expand its territory to include Transylvania, Bukovina, and Banat, regions with significant Romanian populations but under Austro-Hungarian control.
Despite initial successes in Transylvania, Romanian forces soon faced a multi-front war against the Central Powers, leading to significant territorial losses.
However, Romania’s involvement added pressure on the Central Powers and contributed to the broader strategic dynamics of the war. The post-war treaties eventually granted Romania substantial territorial gains, fulfilling many of its wartime objectives.
1928 – Kellogg–Briand Pact: Outlawing War
On August 27, 1928, the Kellogg–Briand Pact, also known as the Pact of Paris, was signed by fifteen nations, including major powers such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.
Named after U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand, the pact was an ambitious international agreement that aimed to outlaw war as an instrument of national policy. It was a significant effort towards promoting peace and preventing future conflicts after the devastation of World War I.
Although the pact did not prevent subsequent wars, it laid the groundwork for the development of international law and the United Nations’ principles regarding conflict resolution and the prohibition of aggressive war.
1939 – First Flight of the Heinkel He 178: The World’s First Jet Aircraft
On August 27, 1939, the Heinkel He 178, the world’s first turbojet-powered aircraft, made its inaugural flight in Germany. Designed by the German engineer Ernst Heinkel, the He 178 marked a significant milestone in aviation history, demonstrating the feasibility of jet propulsion.
The aircraft’s maiden flight, piloted by Erich Warsitz, showcased the potential of jet engines to achieve higher speeds and better performance compared to traditional piston-engine planes.
Although the He 178 itself did not enter mass production, its successful development paved the way for subsequent advancements in jet technology during World War II and the post-war era, revolutionizing military and commercial aviation.
1955 – First Publication of The Guinness Book of Records
On August 27, 1955, the first edition of The Guinness Book of Records was published in Great Britain. Conceived by Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of the Guinness Brewery, the book aimed to settle pub arguments and became an instant success.
Edited by brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter, the book compiled an extensive collection of world records across various fields, including human achievements, natural phenomena, and curiosities. Its popularity grew rapidly, leading to annual updates and international editions.
The Guinness Book of Records has since become a global phenomenon, known today as Guinness World Records, celebrating extraordinary feats and continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.
1991 – European Community Recognizes Baltic States’ Independence
On August 27, 1991, the European Community (EC) officially recognized the independence of the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—following their declarations of independence from the Soviet Union earlier that year.
This recognition marked a significant step in the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of sovereignty for the Baltic nations, which had been forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940.
The EC’s recognition bolstered international support for the Baltic states and facilitated their subsequent integration into European and global institutions. The recognition of Baltic independence was a key moment in the broader process of post-Cold War political realignments and the reassertion of national identities in Eastern Europe.