June 27

Events

1499day.year

Amerigo Vespucci sights what is now Amapá State in Brazil.

In 1499, Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci became the first European to sight the land that is now Amapá State in Brazil.
Amerigo Vespucci departed from Spain in 1499 on what would become his third voyage to the Americas. On June 27th, he spotted the coastline of present-day Amapá in northern Brazil, noting its lush forests and winding rivers. His precise observations helped distinguish South America as a separate continent from Asia. Vespucci’s detailed letters and charts challenged prevailing geographic assumptions in Europe. Though not the first European to reach Brazil, his reports greatly advanced European knowledge of the New World. His reputation grew so influential that the continents were later named after him.
1499 Amerigo Vespucci Amapá
1556day.year

The thirteen Stratford Martyrs are burned at the stake near London for their Protestant beliefs.

On June 27, 1556, thirteen Protestant martyrs were executed by burning at the stake near London for refusing to renounce their faith.
The Stratford Martyrs were a group of men and women charged with heresy during the reign of Queen Mary I. They were arrested for adhering to Protestant teachings and refusing to accept papal authority. On a single day south of London, these believers faced execution rather than betray their convictions. Eyewitness accounts described their courage as they stood bound to the stake. News of their deaths spread across England, fueling resentment against the Marian persecutions. Today, a memorial in Stratford commemorates their sacrifice and the turbulent struggle for religious freedom in Tudor England.
1556 Stratford Martyrs burned at the stake Protestant
1743day.year

In the Battle of Dettingen, George II becomes the last reigning British monarch to participate in a battle.

During the Battle of Dettingen on June 27, 1743, King George II personally led British troops, becoming the last reigning monarch to fight in battle.
The Battle of Dettingen was fought in Bavaria as part of the War of the Austrian Succession. British and allied forces clashed with the French army near the village of Dettingen on June 27th. King George II rode at the head of his troops, inspiring soldiers but risking royal safety. The British-led army secured a decisive victory, capturing enemy cannons and forcing a French withdrawal. George II’s participation boosted troop morale and became a celebrated event back home. The engagement is immortalized in Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum, composed to honor the king’s achievement.
1743 Battle of Dettingen George II
1760day.year

Anglo-Cherokee War: Cherokee warriors defeat British forces at the Battle of Echoee near present-day Otto, North Carolina.

On June 27, 1760, Cherokee warriors ambushed and defeated British troops at the Battle of Echoee in the mountains of present-day North Carolina.
The Battle of Echoee occurred during the Anglo-Cherokee War as British forces advanced through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Seeking to punish Cherokee resistance, a column of British soldiers marched through dense forest terrain. Cherokee warriors, using their intimate knowledge of the land, launched a surprise attack on the unsuspecting troops. The British suffered heavy casualties and were forced to retreat to safer ground. This victory demonstrated Cherokee resilience and tactical expertise in defending their homelands. Despite such successes, continued colonial pressure and subsequent treaties led to significant Cherokee land loss in the following years.
1760 Anglo-Cherokee War Cherokee British Battle of Echoee Otto, North Carolina
1806day.year

British forces take Buenos Aires during the first of the British invasions of the River Plate.

During the first British invasion of the River Plate on June 27, 1806, British troops captured the city of Buenos Aires.
In early 1806, Britain sought to expand its influence in Spanish South America by targeting the wealthy port of Buenos Aires. Led by Sir William Beresford, a British expeditionary force landed near the city and mounted a rapid assault on its fortifications. On June 27th, the defenders, unprepared and poorly coordinated, were overwhelmed by disciplined British infantry. The occupation stunned the local population and colonial authorities. However, popular resistance soon rallied under Santiago de Liniers, leading to the British surrender and evacuation. This episode sparked a wave of Creole patriotism that eventually contributed to the region’s independence movements.
1806 Buenos Aires British invasions of the River Plate
1844day.year

Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and his brother Hyrum Smith, are killed by a mob at the Carthage, Illinois jail.

Latter Day Saint movement founder Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob at Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844.
Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois, facing charges tied to the destruction of an anti-Mormon newspaper. On June 27th, an armed mob stormed the jail, intent on silencing the Smiths forever. Both brothers were shot and killed in the assault, shocking followers across the young Latter Day Saint community. Their deaths created a leadership crisis and intensified legal and social battles over religious freedom. Smith’s martyrdom became a central event in Mormon history, shaping the faith’s narrative of persecution and perseverance. In the aftermath, Brigham Young emerged as a new leader, eventually guiding the faithful to Utah.
1844 Joseph Smith Latter Day Saint movement Hyrum Smith killed by a mob Carthage, Illinois
1864day.year

American Civil War: Confederate forces defeat Union forces during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain during the Atlanta Campaign.

On June 27, 1864, Confederate troops repelled Union forces at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain during the Atlanta Campaign.
The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was a key engagement in General William T. Sherman’s push toward Atlanta. Union forces launched a frontal assault on heavily fortified Confederate positions atop the mountain. Under General Joseph E. Johnston, the Confederates inflicted severe casualties on the attacking soldiers. Recognizing the futility of direct attacks, Sherman shifted to flanking maneuvers after the battle. Although a tactical victory for the South, it did not halt Sherman's advance toward Atlanta. The engagement highlighted the brutal cost of frontal assaults in Civil War battles.
1864 American Civil War Battle of Kennesaw Mountain Atlanta Campaign
1895day.year

The inaugural run of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Royal Blue from Washington, D.C., to New York City, the first U.S. passenger train to use electric locomotives.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad inaugurated its Royal Blue passenger train, the first in the U.S. to use electric locomotives, on June 27, 1895.
On this day, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad introduced the Royal Blue service between Washington, D.C., and New York City. It became the first American passenger train to employ electric locomotives in station approaches, reducing smoke and noise. The innovation improved comfort and city air quality, marking a milestone in rail travel. The Royal Blue was renowned for its speed, luxury dining cars, and elegant passenger accommodations. Its success prompted other railroads to adopt electric traction in urban terminals. The service set a precedent for modern electrified rail networks across the United States.
1895 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Royal Blue electric locomotives
1898day.year

The first solo circumnavigation of the globe is completed by Joshua Slocum from Briar Island, Nova Scotia.

Joshua Slocum completed the first solo circumnavigation of the globe, returning to Briar Island, Nova Scotia, on June 27, 1898.
Nova Scotian sailor Joshua Slocum set sail alone in his sloop Spray in April 1895, embarking on an unprecedented voyage. Over three years, he navigated storms, doldrums, and remote seas without modern instruments. Slocum relied on celestial navigation and sheer seamanship to chart his course across every ocean. He documented his journey in a bestselling narrative that inspired adventurers worldwide. On June 27, 1898, he triumphantly returned to Briar Island, completing the historic circumnavigation. His achievement remains a landmark in maritime exploration and solo sailing.
1898 circumnavigation Joshua Slocum Nova Scotia
1905day.year

During the Russo-Japanese War, sailors start a mutiny aboard the Russian battleship Potemkin.

During the Russo-Japanese War on June 27, 1905, sailors aboard the Russian battleship Potemkin staged a famous mutiny.
Crewmen aboard the Potemkin rebelled over spoiled food and brutal treatment by their officers. They seized control of the battleship while anchored in the Black Sea, killing several officers. The mutineers hoped their uprising would spark a broader naval revolt against the Tsarist regime. Their bold move inspired demonstrations in Odessa but ultimately failed to spread further. The incident became a potent symbol of revolutionary unrest leading up to the 1905 Russian Revolution. The mutiny was later immortalized in Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 film Battleship Potemkin.
1905 Russo-Japanese War Russian battleship Potemkin
1914day.year

The Illinois Monument is dedicated at Cheatham Hill in what is now the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

A monument honoring Illinois soldiers is unveiled at Cheatham Hill in the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
The Illinois Monument at Cheatham Hill commemorates the bravery of the 16th Illinois Infantry during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in the American Civil War. Dedicated on June 27, 1914, the bronze statue stands atop a granite pedestal overlooking the battlefield. It features a soldier at attention and an inscription honoring those who fought. The dedication ceremony drew veterans and descendants to honor the fallen. Today, the site remains a focal point for historical tours and Civil War education within the park.
1914 Illinois Monument Cheatham Hill Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
1924day.year

The Johor–Singapore Causeway opens after five years of construction, providing a land connection for road and rail vehicles travelling between Johor and Singapore.

The Johor–Singapore Causeway opens, linking Malaysia to Singapore by road and rail after five years of construction.
After half a decade of engineering work, the Johor–Singapore Causeway officially opens on June 27, 1924. Stretching 1.056 miles, it provides the first direct land connection between the Malay Peninsula and Singapore. The causeway accommodates both motor vehicles and rail traffic, transforming regional commerce and travel. Its construction involved innovative use of reinforced concrete and steel piles. The link quickly becomes a vital artery for trade, tourism, and daily commuting, reshaping economic ties in Southeast Asia.
1924 Johor–Singapore Causeway Johor Singapore