May 27: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On this day in 1930, the world watched in awe as the Chrysler Building officially opened, briefly claiming the title of the tallest structure on Earth.
Quick Facts for May 27
- Zodiac sign: Gemini
- Day of year: 147
About May 27
May 27 has long been a date of monumental shifts in the global landscape. In 1703, the foundations of a future imperial capital were laid when Tsar Peter the Great established the city of Saint Petersburg. Centuries later, the skyline of New York City was forever altered by the completion of the Chrysler Building, a masterpiece of Art Deco design that stood as a testament to human architectural ambition during the Great Depression.
Beyond construction and empire-building, the day has seen profound social and political transformations. In 1967, Australian citizens made history by voting in a referendum that empowered the government to legislate for the benefit of Indigenous Australians. This spirit of progress is echoed in the modern era, such as in 2016, when Barack Obama became the first sitting American president to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to honor the victims of nuclear war.
Holidays & Observances on May 27
- Armed Forces Day (Nicaragua)
- Children's Day (Nigeria)
- Mother's Day (Bolivia)
- Navy Day (Japan)
- Slavery Abolition Day (Guadeloupe, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin)
- Start of National Reconciliation Week (Australia)
Fun & National Days on May 27
- National Grape Popsicle Day — Beat the heat by grabbing a purple, frozen treat today!
- Cellophane Tape Day — Celebrate the sticky little tool that holds our world together.
- Sunscreen Protection Day — Don't forget to apply your SPF to stay safe in the sun.
- Old-Time Player Piano Day — Enjoy the nostalgic, mechanical melodies of a classic player piano.
- National Gray Day
- National Senior Health & Fitness Day
- Nothing to Fear Day
On This Day in History
- 1153 — The Scottish throne passed to Malcolm IV, marking the beginning of his reign as King.
- 1199 — The English crown was officially bestowed upon John during his coronation ceremony.
- 1644 — Manchu forces led by Dorgon triumphed over Li Zicheng at Shanhai Pass, facilitating the conquest of Beijing.
- 1703 — The city of Saint Petersburg was established by Tsar Peter the Great, changing Russian history forever.
- 1798 — A unique, bloodless duel occurred on Putney Heath between British Prime Minister William Pitt and George Tierney.
- 1883 — Alexander III ascended to the throne, beginning his tenure as the Tsar of Russia.
- 1919 — The NC-4 aircraft achieved a historic milestone by completing the first-ever transatlantic flight into Lisbon.
- 1937 — Pedestrians were finally allowed to cross the newly opened Golden Gate Bridge, connecting San Francisco to Marin County.
- 1999 — The Space Shuttle Discovery successfully completed the inaugural docking mission with the International Space Station.
- 2006 — A devastating 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck central Java, causing massive casualties in Yogyakarta.
Famous Birthdays on May 27
- 1332 — Ibn Khaldun, A highly influential Tunisian scholar who revolutionized the study of history and sociology.
- 1794 — Cornelius Vanderbilt, The legendary American industrialist who built a massive shipping and railroad empire.
- 1837 — Wild Bill Hickok, A notorious and legendary figure from the era of the American Old West.
- 1894 — Dashiell Hammett, An American writer who helped define the hardboiled detective genre.
- 1911 — Vincent Price, A celebrated American actor renowned for his iconic roles in horror cinema.
- 1922 — Christopher Lee, A legendary English actor famous for his immense presence in fantasy and horror films.
- 1923 — Henry Kissinger, A prominent American political scientist and diplomat who served as Secretary of State.
- 1971 — Paul Bettany, A versatile English actor recognized for his diverse roles in film and television.