On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
April 27
Events on This Day
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1810
203 years agoLudwig van Beethoven composes one of his famous piano pieces, “Fur Elise.”
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1956
57 years agoAt 31, heavyweight boxing champ Rocky Marciano retires. He remains the only heavyweight fighter to retire undefeated.
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1994
19 years agoSouth Africa holds its first multiracial elections, with more than 22 million citizens voting. Anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela wins by a landslide.
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2011
2 years agoAfter much controversy, President Obama releases his long-form birth certificate from Hawaii in an effort to quell "Birther" conspiracy theories.
April 27
Born on This Day
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Coretta Scott King
- In these groups:
- African-American Biopics
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Black Activists
Coretta Scott King
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Anti-War Activist, Writer / 1927 - 2006
Coretta Scott King was an American civil rights activist and the wife of 1960s civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Born: April 27, 1927
Birthplace: Marion, Alabama, United States
Occupation: Civil Rights Activist, ... -
Jean Harris
- In these groups:
- Women Gone Mad
- Loved to Death
- Famous Academics
Jean Harris
Educator, Murderer / 1923 - 2012
In 1982, Jean Harris shot and killed author and cardiologist Herman Tarnower, who wrote the international best-seller The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet.
1923 | 89 years old
Educator, Murderer -
Mary Wollstonecraft
- In these groups:
- Groundbreaking Women
- Famous Academics
- Famous Teachers
Mary Wollstonecraft
Educator, Philosopher, Scholar, Women's Rights Activist, Journalist / 1759 - 1797
Mary Wollstonecraft was an English writer who advocated for women's equality. Her book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman pressed for educational reforms.
1759 | 38 years old
Educator, Philosopher, Scholar, ... -
Jack Klugman
- In these groups:
- Famous TV Doctors
- Famous Taureans
- Famous Actors
Jack Klugman
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor / 1922 - 2012
Jack Klugman is an American actor best known for his role as Oscar Madison in the Broadway play The Odd Couple and the TV series of the same name.
Born: April 27, 1922
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Occupation: Film Actor, Theater Actor, ... -
Frank Abagnale
- In these groups:
- Famous Taureans
- Famous People Named Frank
- Famous People Born in 1948
Frank Abagnale
Criminal / 1948 -
Frank Abagnale became notorious for impersonating a pilot, a doctor, and a laywer. He was hired by the FBI to teach them his fradulent tricks.
1948 | 65 years old
Criminal -
Ulysses S. Grant
- In these groups:
- Famous Irish-Americans
- Who Is On Your Money
- U.S. Presidents
Ulysses S. Grant
U.S. President / 1822 - 1885
Ulysses S. Grant was U.S. general and commander of the Union armies during the late years of the American Civil War, and 18th president of the United States.
1822 | 63 years old
U.S. President
April 27
Died on This Day
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Ralph Waldo Emerson
- In these groups:
- Famous Academics
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Philosophers
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Philosopher, Journalist, Poet / 1803 - 1882
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American Transcendentalist poet, philosopher and essayist during the 19th century. One of his best-known essays is "Self-Reliance.”
Died: April 27, 1882
Age: 78 years old
Place: Concord, Massachusetts , United States
Occupation: Philosopher, Journalist, Poet -
Ferdinand Magellan
- In these groups:
- Famous Explorers
- Famous People Named Ferdinand
- Famous Portuguese People
Ferdinand Magellan
Explorer / 1480 - 1521
While in the service of Spain, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan led the first European voyage of discovery to circumnavigate the globe.
1521 | 41 years old
Explorer -
Kwame Nkrumah
- In these groups:
- Famous Virgoans
- Famous Prime Ministers
- Famous People Born in 1909
Kwame Nkrumah
World Leader, Prime Minister / 1909 - 1972
Kwame Nkrumah was a Ghanaian nationalist leader who led the Gold Coast's independence from Britain and presided over its emergence as the new nation of Ghana1972 | 62 years old
World Leader, Prime Minister
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profile name: Jack Klugman profile occupation: Film Actor, Theater Actor, ...
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profile name: Ludwig van Beethoven profile occupation: Songwriter
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profile name: Rocky Marciano profile occupation: Boxer
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profile name: Nelson Mandela profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist
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profile name: Barack Obama profile occupation: U.S. Representative
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profile name: Babe Ruth profile occupation: Baseball Player
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profile name: Bing Crosby profile occupation: Songwriter
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profile name: Danny Kaye profile occupation: Philanthropist
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profile name: John Lennon profile occupation: Songwriter
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profile name: Yoko Ono profile occupation: Anti-War Activist
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profile name: Nolan Ryan profile occupation: Baseball Player
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profile name: Carolyn Jones profile occupation: Television Actress
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profile name: Hirohito profile occupation: Emperor
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profile name: Fielding Yost profile occupation: Coach
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profile name: Sterling Brown profile occupation: Poet
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