April 27

Events

247day.year

Philip the Arab marks the millennium of Rome with a celebration of the ludi saeculares.

In 247 AD, Emperor Philip the Arab celebrated Rome's thousandth year with the ludi saeculares, a series of religious games and public spectacles.
In April 247, Philip the Arab commemorated the millennium of Rome with the ludi saeculares, an ancient festival held once every saeculum. The celebrations included sacrifices to traditional deities, theatrical performances, and athletic competitions. By linking himself to Rome's founding myths and religious traditions, Philip sought to reinforce his legitimacy as emperor. Contemporary sources describe lavish offerings and public feasts held across the city. Although exact details of the events are scarce, the festival underscored the enduring cultural identity of Rome. Historians view the games as a blend of political propaganda and pious observance. The saecular games remained a model for later imperial celebrations.
247 Philip the Arab ludi saeculares
395day.year

Emperor Arcadius marries Aelia Eudoxia, daughter of the Frankish general Flavius Bauto. She becomes one of the more powerful Roman empresses of Late Antiquity.

In 395, Emperor Arcadius married Aelia Eudoxia, strengthening imperial alliances and elevating her to one of the most influential Roman empresses of Late Antiquity.
On April 27, 395, Emperor Arcadius wed Aelia Eudoxia, the daughter of the distinguished Frankish general Flavius Bauto. The marriage united the eastern Roman imperial house with a prominent military family, consolidating Arcadius's political support. Eudoxia soon emerged as a powerful figure at court, influencing religious and administrative policies. Her patronage extended to major construction projects, including churches and public buildings. The union also reflected the increasing integration of barbarian elites into Roman governance. The imperial couple's relationship set a precedent for the role of empresses as active participants in state affairs. Eudoxia's influence persisted long after Arcadius's death, shaping the course of Eastern Roman politics.
395 Arcadius Aelia Eudoxia Frankish Flavius Bauto Late Antiquity
711day.year

Islamic conquest of Hispania: Moorish troops led by Tariq ibn Ziyad land at Gibraltar to begin their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus).

In 711, Moorish forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad landed at Gibraltar, launching the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula and the beginning of Al-Andalus.
On April 27, 711, a Moorish expeditionary force led by the Berber general Tariq ibn Ziyad made landfall at Gibraltar, marking the start of the Islamic conquest of Hispania. The rapid advance that followed saw key Visigothic strongholds fall within a few years, dramatically reshaping the region's political landscape. The new territory became known as Al-Andalus, a province of the Umayyad Caliphate. Muslim rule introduced innovations in science, agriculture, architecture, and law, fostering a period of cultural and economic prosperity. The conquest also led to religious and social transformations as Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities interacted. The events at Gibraltar opened centuries of cross-cultural exchange and conflict that would define medieval Iberia. Tariq’s landing remains a pivotal moment in European and Islamic history.
711 Islamic conquest of Hispania Moorish Tariq ibn Ziyad Gibraltar Iberian Peninsula Al-Andalus
1296day.year

First War of Scottish Independence: John Balliol's Scottish army is defeated by an English army commanded by John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey at the Battle of Dunbar.

In 1296, during the First War of Scottish Independence, the Scottish army under John Balliol was defeated by English forces at the Battle of Dunbar.
On April 27, 1296, the Battle of Dunbar saw an English army commanded by John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, rout the forces of King John Balliol of Scotland. The defeat forced Balliol to abdicate and led to English occupation of key Scottish strongholds. This victory marked a significant early triumph for Edward I of England in his campaign to assert dominance over Scotland. The battle took place near the town of Dunbar, where superior English tactics and cavalry charges overwhelmed the Scots. The aftermath saw many Scottish nobles captured and imprisoned. The loss galvanized resistance and set the stage for future Scottish leaders like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Dunbar highlighted the brutal reality of medieval warfare and the high stakes of national sovereignty.
1296 First War of Scottish Independence John Balliol John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey Battle of Dunbar
1509day.year

Pope Julius II places the Italian state of Venice under interdict.

In 1509, Pope Julius II imposed an interdict on the Republic of Venice, halting religious services and sacraments as a political weapon against Venetian defiance.
On April 27, 1509, Pope Julius II placed the powerful maritime Republic of Venice under interdict in response to its refusal to support papal military campaigns. The interdict suspended Mass, marriages, and burials, aiming to pressure Venice's government and citizens. This bold move escalated tensions between the papacy and one of Italy's wealthiest states. Venice eventually relented, but the conflict underscored the Pope's willingness to use spiritual sanctions for political ends. The episode reflected the complex interplay of religion and power during the Italian Wars. Artists and theologians of the era debated the legitimacy of interdicts as tools of governance. Julius II's actions reinforced the papacy's temporal authority, even as it depended on alliances with secular rulers. The interdict on Venice remains a striking example of ecclesiastical influence in Renaissance politics.
1509 Pope Julius II Venice interdict
1521day.year

Battle of Mactan: Explorer Ferdinand Magellan is killed by natives in the Philippines led by chief Lapulapu.

In 1521, explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines, ending his circumnavigation expedition.
On April 27, 1521, during his attempt to complete the first voyage around the world, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was slain by warriors led by Chief Lapulapu on the island of Mactan. Magellan's fleet had anchored near Cebu, and he intervened to support local allies, underestimating Lapulapu’s resistance. The confrontation saw Magellan’s superior arms and tactics fail against the native fighters' knowledge of the terrain and guerrilla tactics. Magellan’s death plunged the expedition into uncertainty, but his crew ultimately continued westward, returning to Spain in 1522. The Battle of Mactan has since become a symbol of indigenous resistance in Philippine history. Monuments on Mactan Island commemorate both Magellan’s journey and Lapulapu’s defiance. The event illustrates the clash of cultures during early European exploration and its lasting legacy in Southeast Asia.
1521 Battle of Mactan Ferdinand Magellan Philippines Lapulapu
1539day.year

Official founding of the city of Bogotá, New Granada (nowadays Colombia), by Nikolaus Federmann and Sebastián de Belalcázar.

In 1539, Nikolaus Federmann and Sebastián de Belalcázar officially founded the city of Bogotá in New Granada, laying the groundwork for modern-day Colombia’s capital.
On April 27, 1539, Spanish conquistadors Nikolaus Federmann and Sebastián de Belalcázar formally established the settlement that would become Bogotá, naming it Santa Fe de Bogotá. The city was strategically located on a plateau in the Eastern Andes, providing defense and access to indigenous trade routes. Bogotá grew rapidly as the administrative center of the New Kingdom of Granada, attracting settlers, missionaries, and merchants. Its establishment marked the expansion of Spanish colonial authority deep into South America. Over time, Bogotá evolved into a major political, cultural, and educational hub. The city’s colonial architecture and layout reflect its 16th-century origins. Today, Bogotá stands as a testament to the enduring impact of early colonial urban planning in Latin America.
1539 Bogotá Colombia Nikolaus Federmann Sebastián de Belalcázar
1565day.year

Cebu is established becoming the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.

In 1565, the Spaniard Miguel López de Legazpi established the settlement of Cebu, the first Spanish foothold in the Philippines.
On April 27, 1565, Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi arrived on the island of Cebu and founded the settlement of San Miguel, marking Spain’s first permanent colony in the Philippines. Legazpi negotiated alliances with local chieftains, including Rajah Tupas, to secure access to resources and labor. The settlement served as a base for further Spanish expeditions to other Philippine islands. Cebu’s natural harbor and fertile surroundings made it an ideal colonial capital. Spanish missionaries soon followed, beginning the Christianization of the archipelago. Cebu became the hub of Spanish power in Southeast Asia for decades. The establishment of the colony set the stage for centuries of Spanish influence in Philippine culture, religion, and governance.
1565 Cebu Philippines
1595day.year

The relics of Saint Sava are incinerated in Belgrade on the Vračar plateau by Ottoman Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha; the site of the incineration is now the location of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world

In 1595, Ottoman Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha ordered the incineration of Saint Sava’s relics on the Vračar plateau in Belgrade, a symbolic act of dominance over the Serbian Orthodox Church.
On April 27, 1595, Sinan Pasha, the Ottoman Grand Vizier, commanded the burning of the relics of Saint Sava, Serbia’s patron saint, on the Vračar plateau in Belgrade. The act was intended to suppress Serbian resistance and undermine Orthodox Christian identity under Ottoman rule. According to contemporary accounts, large crowds gathered to witness the public incineration, which left a lasting scar on the Serbian collective memory. The site of the burning later became the location of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, symbolizing national revival. The event deepened divisions between the Christian population and the Ottoman authorities, fueling further uprisings. It remains a poignant reminder of religious persecution and the enduring power of sacred symbols. The legend of Saint Sava’s relics continues to inspire Serbian cultural and religious traditions.
1595 Saint Sava Belgrade Sinan Pasha Church of Saint Sava
1650day.year

The Battle of Carbisdale: A Royalist army from Orkney invades mainland Scotland but is defeated by a Covenanter army.

In 1650, the Battle of Carbisdale saw a Covenanter army defeat a Royalist force from Orkney during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
On April 27, 1650, Royalist troops from Orkney landed in mainland Scotland in support of Charles II but were decisively defeated by a Covenanter army at Carbisdale. The battle occurred near Strathcarron and featured strategic use of intelligence and terrain by Covenanter commanders. The Royalist defeat disrupted plans to restore the monarchy and weakened Charles’s campaign in Scotland. Many Royalist soldiers were captured, and their ships fled back to Orkney. The victory bolstered the Covenanters’ control over Scotland and secured their alliance with the English Parliament. Carbisdale highlighted the complex alliances and shifting loyalties of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The battle’s outcome influenced the eventual defeat of Charles II’s forces at Worcester later that year.
1650 Battle of Carbisdale Royalist Orkney Covenanter
1667day.year

Blind and impoverished, John Milton sells Paradise Lost to a printer for £10, so that it could be entered into the Stationers' Register.

Blind poet John Milton sells the rights to his epic poem Paradise Lost for £10, securing its entry in the Stationers' Register.
In April 1667, John Milton, who had been completely blind and faced severe financial hardship, reached an agreement with printer Samuel Simmons. He sold the rights to his completed masterpiece Paradise Lost for the modest sum of £10. This transaction allowed the poem to be entered into the Stationers' Register, the official record of publication rights in England. By doing so, Milton secured legal protection over his work and set the stage for its first printing in 1668. Paradise Lost would go on to be celebrated as one of the greatest epic poems in the English language. Despite his personal struggles, Milton's dedication ensured the survival and impact of his literary legacy.
1667 Paradise Lost Stationers' Register
1805day.year

First Barbary War: United States Marines and Berbers attack the Tripolitan city of Derna (The "shores of Tripoli" in the Marines' Hymn).

During the First Barbary War, US Marines and their Berber allies launch a daring attack on the Tripolitan city of Derna, immortalized in the Marines' Hymn.
On April 27, 1805, a small force of United States Marines under Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon, supported by William Eaton and local Berber troops, stormed the fortified walls of Derna in modern-day Libya. This operation was part of the First Barbary War against the Barbary pirates of Tripoli. After a brief but fierce siege, the city fell, marking the first recorded land battle victory of the US Marine Corps. The success inspired the famous line "to the shores of Tripoli" in the Marine Corps Hymn. This bold expedition demonstrated early American resolve to challenge piracy and protect merchant shipping in the Mediterranean. The capture of Derna remains a celebrated episode in Marine Corps history.
1805 First Barbary War United States Marines Berbers Tripolitan Derna Marines' Hymn