January 27

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1759day.year

Spanish forces clash with indigenous Huilliches of southern Chile in the battle of Río Bueno.

In 1759, Spanish colonial troops engaged Huilliche warriors at the Río Bueno in southern Chile, marking a key frontier clash.
On January 27, 1759, Spanish soldiers advanced into Huilliche territory and met fierce resistance along the Río Bueno. The encounter formed part of Spain’s efforts to expand its southern colonial frontier in Chile. Huilliche fighters, adept at guerrilla tactics, used the rugged landscape to their advantage. While neither side achieved a decisive victory, the skirmish underscored persistent indigenous opposition. In the aftermath, officials negotiated fragile peace agreements and reinforced frontier garrisons. The battle remains a notable episode in the contested history of colonial expansion in Patagonia.
1759 Huilliches battle of Río Bueno
1776day.year

American Revolutionary War: Henry Knox's "noble train of artillery" arrives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

On January 27, 1776, Henry Knox completed his remarkable transport of captured cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Over a harsh winter, Colonel Henry Knox hauled 59 heavy guns more than 300 miles from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge. Dubbed the 'Noble Train of Artillery,' the expedition traversed frozen lakes, mountains, and rough roads. By January 27, Knox’s arrival bolstered General Washington’s siege of Boston with much-needed firepower. The artillery was positioned on Dorchester Heights, commanding both the city and harbor. Faced with these batteries, British forces evacuated Boston on March 17, 1776. Knox’s feat of logistics and perseverance became legendary in the annals of the American Revolution.
1776 American Revolutionary War Henry Knox noble train of artillery Cambridge, Massachusetts
1868day.year

Boshin War: The Battle of Toba–Fushimi begins, between forces of the Tokugawa shogunate and pro-Imperial factions; it will end in defeat for the shogunate, and is a pivotal point in the Meiji Restoration.

The Battle of Toba–Fushimi erupts between Tokugawa forces and imperial loyalists, marking a decisive clash in Japan's Meiji Restoration.
On January 27, 1868, the Boshin War reached its crucial turning point with the Battle of Toba–Fushimi. Tokugawa shogunate troops clashed with forces allied to the Emperor in a fierce contest near Osaka. Equipped with modern weaponry and strategic alliances, the imperial faction gained the upper hand. The shogunate's defeat undermined its authority and accelerated the fall of Tokugawa rule. This battle heralded the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, which would revolutionize Japan's political, social, and economic structures.
1868 Boshin War Battle of Toba–Fushimi Tokugawa shogunate Imperial Meiji Restoration
1869day.year

Boshin War: Tokugawa rebels establish the Ezo Republic in Hokkaidō.

Rebels of the Tokugawa shogunate establish the brief Ezo Republic in Hokkaido, Japan's only attempt at a modern republic.
On January 27, 1869, remnants of Tokugawa loyalists proclaimed the Ezo Republic on the northern island of Hokkaido. Drawing inspiration from Western political models, this fledgling state adopted a constitution and elected representatives. Led by Enomoto Takeaki, the republic sought to resist the central government's Meiji regime. Despite its innovative governance, the Ezo Republic faced military pressure and isolation. A few months later, it was dismantled by imperial forces, but its experiment remains a unique episode in Japanese history.
1869 Ezo Republic Hokkaidō
1918day.year

Beginning of the Finnish Civil War.

The Finnish Civil War erupts as Red Guards and White forces clash over the nation's future.
Beginning on January 27, 1918, Finland plunged into a civil war between the socialist Reds and conservative Whites. The conflict emerged amid social tensions and the collapse of the Russian Empire. Control of key cities and railways became strategic objectives for both sides. Battles brewed across the countryside, involving volunteers and foreign allies. The war concluded in May with a White victory, leaving deep scars on Finnish society and shaping the newly independent nation's politics.
1918 Finnish Civil War
1943day.year

World War II: The Eighth Air Force sorties ninety-one B-17s and B-24s to attack the U-boat construction yards at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. This was the first American bombing attack on Germany.

In 1943, the US Eighth Air Force launched its first bombing raid on German soil, targeting U-boat yards at Wilhelmshaven.
On January 27, 1943, for the first time in World War II, American heavy bombers struck a target within Nazi Germany. Ninety-one B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators of the Eighth Air Force were dispatched to Wilhelmshaven's U-boat construction yards. Despite fierce anti-aircraft defenses, the raid marked a turning point in the Allied strategic bombing campaign. It demonstrated the growing reach of US airpower and its commitment to crippling Germany's submarine fleet. The operation foreshadowed the intensifying aerial war over Europe that would continue until the war's end. It also underscored the heavy risks faced by bomber crews undertaking deep-penetration missions.
1943 World War II Eighth Air Force B-17s B-24s U-boat Wilhelmshaven
1944day.year

World War II: The 900-day Siege of Leningrad is lifted.

After 900 harrowing days, the German siege of Leningrad was finally lifted in 1944, bringing relief to the besieged city.
On January 27, 1944, Soviet forces finally broke the 900-day siege imposed by German and Finnish troops on Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). The prolonged blockade had caused immense suffering, with hundreds of thousands of civilians succumbing to starvation and bombardment. Operation Iskra and subsequent offensives gradually reopened land routes to the city, allowing vital supplies to flow in. The lifting of the siege represented a major Soviet victory and boosted morale on the Eastern Front. It marked a turning point in the Battle of Leningrad, which had become emblematic of civilian endurance and sacrifice. Memories of the siege's hardships continued to shape Russian collective memory for decades.
1944 Siege of Leningrad
1945day.year

World War II: The Soviet 322nd Rifle Division liberates the remaining inmates of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

In 1945, Soviet troops liberated the survivors of Auschwitz-Birkenau, revealing the full horrors of the Nazi death camp.
On January 27, 1945, soldiers of the Soviet 322nd Rifle Division entered the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in occupied Poland. They found approximately 7,500 emaciated prisoners who had survived starvation, forced labor, and inhumane medical experiments. The liberation exposed the extent of the Holocaust, with evidence of mass murder, gas chambers, and countless victims. Photographs and eyewitness testimonies from the site provided the world with stark documentation of Nazi atrocities. Auschwitz-Birkenau remains a potent symbol of the Holocaust, commemorated annually as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. January 27 is now observed worldwide to honor the victims and survivors of genocides and crimes against humanity.
1945 Soviet 322nd Rifle Division liberates Auschwitz-Birkenau
1973day.year

The Paris Peace Accords officially ends the Vietnam War. Colonel William Nolde is killed in action becoming the conflict's last recorded American combat casualty.

The Paris Peace Accords officially ended U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Colonel William Nolde became the last recorded American combat casualty.
On January 27, 1973, negotiators from the United States, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the Viet Cong signed the Paris Peace Accords. The agreement stipulated a ceasefire, withdrawal of U.S. troops, and release of prisoners of war. It marked the formal end of American military involvement after years of intense conflict. Shortly after the accords took effect, Colonel William Nolde was killed in action, making him the final recorded U.S. combat fatality of the war. Although U.S. combat operations ceased, fighting continued between North and South Vietnam. The accords had far-reaching political implications and influenced U.S. foreign policy in subsequent decades. They remain a significant milestone in the history of diplomatic negotiations and war termination.
1973 Paris Peace Accords Vietnam War William Nolde
2011day.year

Arab Spring: The Yemeni Revolution begins as over 16,000 protestors demonstrate in Sana'a.

The Yemeni Revolution began on January 27, 2011, with mass protests in Sana'a as part of the Arab Spring.
On January 27, 2011, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Sana'a, Yemen's capital. Demonstrations called for the end of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's three-decade rule and democratic reforms. Inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the Yemeni Revolution was a key chapter in the Arab Spring. Protesters faced clashes with security forces, leading to arrests and casualties. The movement highlighted widespread discontent over corruption, unemployment, and human rights abuses. Yemen's protests evolved into a broader conflict that destabilized the country for years. The revolution set off a chain of events that contributed to political fragmentation and ongoing civil strife. It remains a significant moment in Yemen's modern history and the broader Middle Eastern pro-democracy movement.
2011 Arab Spring Yemeni Revolution Sana'a
2014day.year

Rojava conflict: The Kobanî Canton declares its autonomy from the Syrian Arab Republic.

Kobanî Canton proclaims autonomy amid the Rojava conflict in northern Syria.
On January 27, 2014, the Kurdish-led administration in northern Syria declared the autonomy of Kobanî Canton from the Syrian Arab Republic, marking a pivotal moment in the Rojava conflict. The declaration emerged after months of fierce resistance against ISIS, aiming to establish a self-governing region based on direct democracy. Local councils assumed responsibility for education, healthcare, and defense, setting a governance model for neighboring cantons. The move heightened tensions with Damascus and regional powers, while drawing international attention to Kurdish political aspirations. The autonomy declaration influenced subsequent peace talks and reshaped the region's political landscape.
2014 Rojava conflict Kobanî Canton Syrian Arab Republic
2023day.year

A shooting at a synagogue in Neve Yaakov, East Jerusalem, kills seven people and injures three others.

A gunman opens fire at a synagogue in Neve Yaakov, East Jerusalem, killing seven worshippers and wounding three.
On January 27, 2023, a shooter attacked congregants at a synagogue in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of East Jerusalem during morning prayers. The assault resulted in seven fatalities and three injuries before security forces arrived and secured the area. The attack occurred amid escalating tensions in the region, prompting international condemnation and calls for calm. Israeli authorities launched an investigation into the assailant’s motives and assessed security protocols at religious sites. The tragedy underscored the fragility of peace in Jerusalem and led to heightened security measures around places of worship.
shooting synagogue Neve Yaakov East Jerusalem