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
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
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
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
1918day.year
The National Council of Bessarabia proclaims union with the Kingdom of Romania.
On March 27, 1918, the National Council of Bessarabia declared its union with the Kingdom of Romania. This union reshaped the political landscape of Eastern Europe in the aftermath of World War I.
Bessarabia, a region long under Russian imperial control, experienced political upheaval following the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917. Local leaders formed the National Council (Sfatul Ţării) to determine the region’s future amid uncertainty. On March 27, 1918, the Council voted to unite Bessarabia with Romania, seeking cultural and political alignment. The union was recognized by some Western powers but disputed by Soviet Russia, laying groundwork for future conflicts. For many Romanians, the decision represented the fulfillment of national aspirations and ethnic solidarity. The event influenced border arrangements in Eastern Europe and remains a pivotal moment in Romanian and Moldovan history.
1918
Bessarabia
union
Kingdom of Romania
1933day.year
Japanese invasion of Manchuria: Japan leaves the League of Nations after it approves the Lytton Report that ruled in favour of China.
On March 27, 1933, Japan announced its withdrawal from the League of Nations after the body endorsed the Lytton Report condemning its invasion of Manchuria. This decision undermined collective security efforts and foreshadowed further aggression in Asia.
In 1931, Japanese forces seized Manchuria, establishing the puppet state of Manchukuo and triggering international concern. The League of Nations appointed a commission led by Lord Lytton to investigate the crisis, ultimately issuing a report in early 1933 that deemed Japan’s actions illegal and recommended Chinese sovereignty over the region. Frustrated by the ruling, Tokyo formally withdrew from the League on March 27, 1933, rejecting international censure. The departure weakened the League’s authority and highlighted its inability to enforce resolutions against major powers. Japan’s exit emboldened militarist leaders and accelerated its expansionist policies in East Asia. The incident is often cited as a critical failure of interwar diplomacy and a precursor to World War II.
1933
Japanese invasion of Manchuria
League of Nations
Lytton Report
1941day.year
World War II: Yugoslav Air Force officers topple the pro-Axis government in a bloodless coup.
On March 27, 1941, Yugoslav Air Force officers staged a bloodless coup, toppling the pro-Axis regency and installing King Peter II.
A group of junior officers in the Royal Yugoslav Air Force executed a swift, bloodless coup in Belgrade on March 27, 1941. They deposed the regency of Prince Paul, which had recently joined the Axis Tripartite Pact under heavy pressure. The jubilant crowds in the streets celebrated the return of teenage King Peter II as sovereign. The coup realigned Yugoslavia’s stance in World War II and prompted immediate German plans for invasion. It demonstrated popular resistance to Axis domination in the Balkans.
1941
World War II
Yugoslav Air Force
pro-Axis
government
bloodless coup
1945day.year
World War II: Operation Starvation, the aerial mining of Japan's ports and waterways begins. Argentina declares war on the Axis Powers.
On March 27, 1945, the US launched Operation Starvation to mine Japanese waters, while Argentina officially declared war on the Axis Powers.
Operation Starvation began on March 27, 1945, as US Army Air Forces B-29 Superfortresses dropped naval mines over Japanese shipping routes. The aerial mining campaign aimed to choke off vital supplies by targeting ports, canals, and coastal waterways. The operation severely disrupted Japan’s ability to import resources during the final months of the war. On the same day, Argentina, previously neutral, declared war on Germany and Japan in a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Allies. Although Argentina’s military played no significant combat role, the declaration aligned the country with the postwar order. Together, these events illustrate the global reach and multifaceted nature of World War II’s final phase.
1945
Operation Starvation
declares war
1958day.year
Nikita Khrushchev becomes Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union.
Nikita Khrushchev became Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union on March 27, 1958.
After consolidating power within the Communist Party, Nikita Khrushchev assumed the position of Chairman of the Council of Ministers on March 27, 1958. This new role effectively made him both head of government and party leader, replacing Nikolai Bulganin. Khrushchev used his dual authority to push forward de-Stalinization policies and agricultural reforms. He also promoted the Soviet space program, famously vowing to send a man into orbit. His tenure saw both political thaw and turbulent crises such as the U-2 incident and the Berlin standoff. These developments shaped the course of the Cold War and Soviet domestic life.
1958
Nikita Khrushchev
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union
1990day.year
The United States begins broadcasting anti-Castro propaganda to Cuba on TV Martí.
The United States launches TV Martí on March 27, 1990, broadcasting anti-Castro programming into Cuba as part of Cold War propaganda efforts. The channel aims to promote democratic values behind the Iron Curtain.
Developed by the U.S. Information Agency, TV Martí began transmissions targeting Cuban audiences with news and entertainment.
Programming included reports on human rights, market economics, and cultural content banned under the Castro regime.
Broadcasts beamed from Florida attempted to penetrate Cuba’s tightly controlled media environment.
The Cuban government responded by jamming signals and imposing penalties on citizens found watching.
Despite technical challenges, TV Martí became a symbol of U.S. efforts to influence public opinion in Cuba.
The service continues in various forms today, reflecting ongoing tensions between Washington and Havana.
1990
anti-Castro
Cuba
TV Martí