1820day.year
A Russian expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev discovers the Antarctic continent, approaching the Antarctic coast.
Russian explorers Fabian von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev become the first to sight the Antarctic continent, marking a milestone in polar exploration.
In 1820, the Russian explorers Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev embarked on a daring voyage into the Southern Ocean. Their expedition braved treacherous seas and dense ice floes to approach the icy shores of Antarctica, providing the first recorded sighting of the continent. This achievement filled a major gap in global geography, confirming the existence of the southern landmass long speculated by scholars. They charted previously unknown coasts and collected valuable scientific observations that would inform future research. Their discovery inspired generations of polar explorers and opened a new frontier for scientific study.
1820
Russian
Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen
Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev
Antarctic
1880day.year
Thomas Edison receives a patent for his incandescent lamp.
Thomas Edison is granted a patent for the incandescent lamp, illuminating the world and revolutionizing modern life.
In 1880, Thomas Alva Edison received U.S. Patent No. 223,898 for his incandescent lamp. His design used a carbonized filament in a high-vacuum bulb, producing reliable and long-lasting light. This breakthrough offered a practical alternative to gas and oil lamps, transforming urban environments and domestic life. Edison's invention spurred the rapid development of electrical lighting infrastructure around the world. The incandescent lamp became a symbol of the Second Industrial Revolution and cemented Edison's reputation as a prolific inventor.
1880
Thomas Edison
incandescent lamp
1939day.year
First flight of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning.
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a distinctive twin-boom fighter aircraft, took its maiden flight in 1939, pioneering high-altitude performance in WWII.
On January 27, 1939, the innovative Lockheed P-38 Lightning made its first flight at the Burbank, California airfield.
Designed by Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson, the P-38 featured a unique twin-boom fuselage and central cockpit pod.
Its powerful Allison V-1710 engines enabled exceptional speed and climb performance at high altitudes.
The aircraft would become a workhorse fighter in the Pacific and European theaters during World War II.
Pilots praised its long range, heavy armament, and versatility in roles including interception, ground attack, and photo reconnaissance.
The successful first flight marked a significant milestone in American aviation development on the eve of global conflict.
1939
Lockheed P-38 Lightning
1951day.year
Nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site begins with Operation Ranger.
The United States commenced Operation Ranger nuclear tests in 1951, marking the first series at the Nevada Test Site.
On January 27, 1951, the US Atomic Energy Commission conducted the first nuclear detonation of Operation Ranger at the Nevada Test Site.
This series of five atmospheric tests aimed to refine warhead designs and assess the effects of various bomb yields.
Ranger marked the United States' return to nuclear testing after a hiatus following World War II.
The tests provided critical data on blast effects, radiation dispersion, and military applications.
Their proximity to populated areas also sparked early debates over safety and environmental impacts of nuclear testing.
Operation Ranger set the stage for more extensive test series during the Cold War arms race.
1951
Nuclear testing
Nevada Test Site
Operation Ranger
1967day.year
Apollo program: Astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee are killed in a fire during a test of their Apollo 1 spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
A tragic test fire on Apollo 1 in 1967 claimed the lives of astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee.
On January 27, 1967, NASA's Apollo 1 crew suffered a fatal fire during a pre-launch test at Kennedy Space Center.
The pure oxygen cabin environment and flammable materials ignited rapidly, trapping the astronauts inside.
Commander Virgil 'Gus' Grissom, Command Pilot Ed White, and Pilot Roger Chaffee perished in the blaze.
The disaster prompted a comprehensive review of spacecraft design, materials, and safety protocols.
NASA implemented major changes, including the use of inert atmospheres and improved hatch designs.
The sacrifices of the Apollo 1 crew laid the groundwork for the success and safety of future manned space missions.
1967
Apollo program
Astronauts
Gus Grissom
Ed White
Roger Chaffee
Apollo 1
Kennedy Space Center
Florida
2010day.year
Apple announces the iPad.
Apple unveiled the first iPad on January 27, 2010, introducing a new category of portable touchscreen device.
On January 27, 2010, Apple Inc. announced the iPad at a special event in San Francisco. The iPad featured a 9.7-inch touchscreen display and ran a version of the iOS operating system. It bridged the gap between smartphones and laptops, offering a versatile platform for media consumption and productivity. The device set a new standard for tablet computing and spurred competition in the tech industry. Early adopters praised its sleek design, intuitive interface, and long battery life. Over time, the iPad became a staple in education, business, and entertainment markets. Its release reshaped expectations for mobile devices and influenced hardware design across the industry.
Apple
iPad
2011day.year
Within Ursa Minor, H1504+65, a white dwarf with the hottest known surface temperature in the universe at 200,000 K, was documented.
Astronomers record H1504+65, the hottest known white dwarf, in the constellation Ursa Minor.
On January 27, 2011, astronomers documented H1504+65, a white dwarf star exhibiting the highest known surface temperature at approximately 200,000 kelvins. This record-holder resides in the constellation Ursa Minor and challenges existing models of stellar cooling. Observations using ultraviolet and X-ray telescopes revealed its nearly bare carbon–oxygen core. The extreme temperature provides insights into the late stages of stellar evolution and the physics of degenerate matter. This discovery has prompted further studies into the life cycles of stars and the limits of thermal emission.
Ursa Minor
H1504+65
white dwarf
2017day.year
A naming ceremony for the chemical element tennessine takes place in the United States.
Scientists formally name element 117 as tennessine at a U.S. ceremony.
On January 27, 2017, an official naming ceremony was held in Tennessee to honor the newly discovered element 117 as tennessine. Representatives from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Tennessee celebrated the IUPAC-approved name. Tennessine, a highly radioactive synthetic element, completes the seventh row of the periodic table. The designation recognizes the state's contributions to superheavy element research and nuclear chemistry. The event underscored international collaboration in particle physics and highlighted ongoing efforts to explore the limits of the periodic table.
2017
tennessine