1309day.year
Pope Clement V imposes excommunication and interdiction on Venice, and a general prohibition of all commercial intercourse with Venice, which had seized Ferrara, a papal fiefdom.
Pope Clement V excommunicates Venice and forbids trade after Venice seized the papal fiefdom of Ferrara.
On March 27, 1309, Pope Clement V issued a sweeping excommunication and interdiction against the Republic of Venice following its military seizure of Ferrara, a territory under papal sovereignty. The decree barred all Venetian citizens from receiving sacraments and suspended religious services within Venetian territory, while also prohibiting trade with the city. This bold assertion of papal authority aimed to force Venice to relinquish control of Ferrara and reaffirm the Pope's temporal power. The embargo significantly strained Venice's economy and heightened tensions between the papacy and one of Italy's most powerful maritime republics. Despite the harsh measures, Venice resisted negotiations, prolonging the conflict. The crisis underscored the interplay between spiritual authority and political ambition in medieval Europe, a recurring theme in the struggle between church and state.
1309
Pope Clement V
excommunication
interdiction
Venice
Ferrara
1329day.year
Pope John XXII issues his In Agro Dominico condemning some writings of Meister Eckhart as heretical.
Pope John XXII condemns the mystical writings of Meister Eckhart as heretical in the bull In Agro Dominico.
In his papal bull In Agro Dominico, issued on March 27, 1329, Pope John XXII formally condemned several writings and teachings of the Dominican mystic Meister Eckhart as heretical. Eckhart's innovative ideas on the direct experience of God and the inner path of the soul had gained both acclaim and controversy. The bull accused Eckhart of denying traditional scholastic distinctions and undermining church doctrine. This censure marked a significant moment in the medieval debate over spiritual mysticism versus institutional orthodoxy. Although Eckhart's works continued to influence later thinkers, the condemnation tarnished his reputation during his lifetime. The proceedings reflected the papacy's vigilance against perceived doctrinal deviations and its power to shape intellectual discourse within Christendom.
1329
Pope John XXII
Meister Eckhart
1513day.year
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León reaches the northern end of The Bahamas on his first voyage to Florida.
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sights the northern Bahamas while en route to Florida on his first voyage.
On March 27, 1513, Spanish navigator Juan Ponce de León and his crew became the first Europeans to land on one of the northern islands of the Bahamas during their expedition in search of new territories and the legendary Fountain of Youth. Sailing from Puerto Rico under the Spanish crown’s commission, Ponce de León charted previously unknown shores and noted abundant natural resources. His voyage marked a key moment in the early Age of Discovery, bridging Europe and the rich archipelago of the Caribbean. The landing set the stage for subsequent Spanish colonization efforts in the region, including Ponce de León’s later expedition to Florida. Though his quest for mythical rejuvenation remained unfulfilled, the expedition expanded European geographic knowledge and catalyzed further exploration of the New World.
1513
Juan Ponce de León
The Bahamas
Florida
1625day.year
Charles I becomes King of England, Scotland and Ireland as well as claiming the title King of France.
Charles I ascends the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland and claims the title of King of France upon his father's death.
On March 27, 1625, following the death of King James I, his son Charles was proclaimed Charles I, sovereign of England, Scotland, and Ireland, while also asserting his symbolic title as King of France. His accession marked the beginning of a reign characterized by conflicts over royal authority and religious policy. Charles I's belief in the divine right of kings would soon clash with Parliament, sowing the seeds for the English Civil War. Early in his rule, he inherited financial strains and complex international rivalries. His claim to the French crown, though largely ceremonial, reflected the enduring legacy of medieval dynastic ambitions. Charles I's reign would ultimately end in trial and execution, reshaping the British monarchy and the balance of power between crown and parliament.
1625
Charles I
King of England, Scotland and Ireland
King of France
1638day.year
The first of four destructive Calabrian earthquakes strikes southern Italy. Measuring magnitude 6.8 and assigned a Mercalli intensity of XI, it kills 10,000–30,000 people.
A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes Calabria in southern Italy, killing tens of thousands in one of the region's deadliest tremors.
On March 27, 1638, the first in a sequence of four destructive earthquakes shook the Calabria region of southern Italy, registering an estimated magnitude of 6.8 and a catastrophic Mercalli intensity of XI. The tremor obliterated entire villages, collapsing homes, churches, and public buildings with little warning. Contemporary accounts describe scenes of widespread panic as survivors navigated the ruins amid aftershocks. Estimates of the death toll range from 10,000 to 30,000, making it one of the deadliest seismic events in Italian history. The disaster prompted early discussions on earthquake-resistant construction and relief coordination between local authorities and the Kingdom of Naples. Recovery was slow, with many communities unable to fully rebuild for decades.
1638
Calabrian earthquakes
southern Italy
Mercalli intensity
1782day.year
The Second Rockingham ministry assumes office in Great Britain and begins negotiations to end the American War of Independence.
The Second Rockingham ministry takes office in Great Britain and launches peace talks to conclude the American War of Independence.
On March 27, 1782, Lord Rockingham formed his second ministry as Prime Minister of Great Britain, ushering in a policy shift towards peace with the rebellious American colonies. Rockingham's Whig government prioritized ending the costly conflict that had strained British finances and military resources. Negotiators dispatched to Paris engaged American representatives, laying the groundwork for the preliminary Articles of Peace. The administration's willingness to recognize American independence marked a turning point in British colonial policy. Domestically, Rockingham faced criticism from both war hawks and radical reformers over his handling of the empire. Though his term was brief, it set the stage for the Treaty of Paris in 1783 and a new era in Anglo-American relations.
1782
Second Rockingham ministry
Great Britain
American War of Independence
1794day.year
The United States Government establishes a permanent navy and authorizes the building of six frigates.
The United States Congress establishes a permanent Navy and authorizes construction of six frigates, laying the foundation for American maritime power.
On March 27, 1794, the United States government passed legislation to create a permanent naval force, authorizing the construction of six frigates to protect American commerce and national interests at sea. This landmark decision responded to threats posed by Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean and the need for maritime defense following independence. The new ships, including the famed USS Constitution, would become symbols of the young nation's resolve and sovereignty. Building these frigates stimulated American shipbuilding industries and encouraged innovation in naval architecture. Debates over funding and the role of a standing navy reflected broader tensions between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The establishment of the Navy marked a critical step in the United States' evolution into a seafaring power.
1794
United States Government
navy
six frigates
1809day.year
Peninsular War: A combined Franco-Polish force defeats the Spanish in the Battle of Ciudad Real.
A Franco-Polish force defeats Spanish troops at the Battle of Ciudad Real during the Peninsular War.
On March 27, 1809, amid the Peninsular War, a combined French and Polish contingent under Marshal Victor engaged Spanish forces near Ciudad Real in central Spain. The Franco-Polish troops executed a coordinated assault, breaking the Spanish defensive lines and forcing a retreat. This victory secured a strategic position south of Madrid and boosted French morale in the opening phase of the campaign. Spanish commander Conde de Cartaojal suffered heavy casualties and was captured, weakening local resistance. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of Napoleon's multinational corps system and his reliance on allied contingents. Despite this success, the Peninsular War would continue as a protracted and costly struggle for control of the Iberian Peninsula.
1809
Peninsular War
Franco
Polish
Battle of Ciudad Real
1814day.year
War of 1812: In central Alabama, U.S. forces under General Andrew Jackson defeat the Creek at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
U.S. forces under General Andrew Jackson crush the Creek at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, a decisive engagement in the War of 1812.
On March 27, 1814, General Andrew Jackson led American troops and allied Native American fighters against the Red Stick faction of the Creek Nation at Horseshoe Bend in central Alabama. The entrenched Creek warriors occupied a natural bend in the Tallapoosa River, but Jackson's well-coordinated artillery bombardment and infantry assault broke their defenses. More than 800 Creek were killed and many more captured, effectively ending Creek resistance in the region. The victory allowed the United States to secure vast territories in the Southeast through the Treaty of Fort Jackson later that year. Jackson's tactical success and growing national reputation would propel him toward the presidency. However, the battle also marked a tragic chapter in the displacement and suffering of Native American communities.
1814
War of 1812
Alabama
Andrew Jackson
Creek
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
1836day.year
Texas Revolution: On the orders of General Antonio López de Santa Anna, the Mexican Army massacres 342 Texian Army POWs at Goliad, Texas.
Mexican forces under Santa Anna execute 342 Texian prisoners at Goliad during the Texas Revolution.
On March 27, 1836, General Antonio López de Santa Anna ordered the execution of about 342 Texian prisoners of war at Goliad, Texas, in one of the most notorious atrocities of the Texas Revolution. These captured soldiers, expecting quarter under the rules of war, were marched out of Fort Defiance and shot in the plains outside Goliad. The massacre shocked Texian and American public opinion, galvanizing support for independence from Mexico. Survivors' escape and accounts of the brutality became rallying cries at the subsequent Battle of San Jacinto. The phrase 'Remember Goliad' joined 'Remember the Alamo' as a battle cry for Texian forces. Today, the Goliad Massacre stands as a solemn reminder of the war's human cost and the complexities of conflict on the American frontier.
1836
Texas Revolution
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Mexican Army
massacres
Texian Army
Goliad, Texas
1866day.year
President of the United States of America Andrew Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866. His veto is overridden by Congress and the bill passes into law on April 9.
On March 27, 1866, President Andrew Johnson vetoed the Civil Rights Act aimed at protecting the rights of freed slaves. Congress promptly overrode his veto, marking a landmark assertion of federal civil rights authority.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to secure citizenship and legal protections for formerly enslaved people. President Andrew Johnson vetoed the bill, arguing it exceeded federal powers and encroached on states' rights. On March 27, 1866, Johnson issued his veto, triggering a fierce debate in Congress. Legislators from both parties rallied to challenge his decision, and on April 9, Congress overrode the veto by a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate. This historic override was the first in U.S. history to successfully enact a major bill over presidential objection. The resulting law laid the groundwork for the Fourteenth Amendment and set an important precedent for federal intervention in civil rights.
1866
President of the United States of America
Andrew Johnson
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Congress
1871day.year
The first international rugby football match, when Scotland defeats England in Edinburgh at Raeburn Place.
On March 27, 1871, Scotland defeated England in the inaugural international rugby football match at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh. This historic contest marked the birth of international rugby competition.
Rugby football originated in England in the early 19th century, evolving into a distinct sport by mid-century. On March 27, 1871, representatives from Scotland and England met at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh for the first-ever international fixture. The Scottish side emerged victorious, demonstrating skillful passing and strategic play. The match attracted a sizable crowd and drew attention to the sport beyond local clubs. Its success paved the way for future international fixtures and the formation of governing bodies. Today, international rugby union remains one of the sport’s most celebrated traditions, tracing its roots back to that pioneering encounter.
1871
first
rugby football
Scotland
England
Edinburgh
Raeburn Place