Major Historical Events on April 27- Today in History

As the pages of the calendar turn to April 27, we are reminded of the critical events that have occurred on this day across centuries. Discover the major historical events that took place on April 27.

Edward I’s Pursuit of Scottish Supremacy – 1296 AD

King Edward I of England sought dominion over the Scots, launching an invasion into Scotland and relocating the revered coronation stone of Scone to Westminster Abbey in England.

Magellan’s Fatal Encounter – 1521 AD

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan met his demise in a skirmish with inhabitants of Mactan Island, Philippines, during his renowned voyage.

Birth of a Feminist Icon – 1759 AD

Mary Wollstonecraft, acclaimed for her pioneering work “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,” advocating British women’s suffrage, was born in the bustling city of London.

Morse: Artist and Inventor – 1791 AD

Samuel F.B. Morse, an accomplished American painter, revolutionized communication with his invention of the electric telegraph and Morse Code, hailing from Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Birth of a Statesman – 1822 AD

Ulysses S. Grant, renowned for his leadership during the American Civil War and subsequent presidency, entered the world.

Inauguration of the London Zoo – 1828 AD

Regent’s Park welcomed the public as the London Zoo officially opened its gates.

Tragedy on the Mississippi – 1865 AD

The SS Sultana disaster, the deadliest maritime catastrophe in U.S. history, claimed the lives of approximately 1,800 individuals, primarily former Union POWs returning from the Civil War, when the overloaded steamship exploded on the Mississippi River.

Pause in Indian Passive Resistance – 1911 AD

Negotiations between General Jan Smuts and Mahatma Gandhi lead to the suspension of Indian passive resistance in South Africa.

Farewell to a Boxing Legend – 1956 AD

Rocky Marciano, the undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion, bids adieu to the ring, marking the end of an era.

Togo’s Journey to Independence – 1960 AD

After a period as an autonomous republic within the French Union, Togo achieved sovereignty.

Sierra Leone’s Independence – 1961 AD

After years under British colonial rule, Sierra Leone achieved independence within the British Commonwealth, with Sir Milton Margai assuming the role of its first prime minister.

Revolutionary Input Device Unveiled – 1981 AD

Xerox PARC introduced the groundbreaking personal computer mouse, revolutionizing human-computer interaction.

Breaking Barriers in British Politics – 1992 AD

Betty Boothroyd shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman elected as Speaker of the House of Commons, holding the esteemed position until 2000.

Farewell to a Musical Maestro – 2007 AD

The world mourned the passing of Mstislav Rostropovich, a virtuoso cellist and esteemed conductor, at the age of 80.

Canonization of a Pontiff – 2014 AD

Pope John Paul II was officially canonized by Pope Benedict XVI, cementing his status as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Also Read: Major Historical Events on April 26- Today in History