October 27
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Abbán, Abraham the Poor, Frumentius(Roman Catholic Church), Gaudiosus of Naples, Kaleb of Axum, Namatius (Namace), Oran of Iona, October 27 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
On October 27, Christian communities honor a diverse group of saints across traditions, from Ireland to Ethiopia. This feast day spotlights figures renowned for their piety, missionary work, and spiritual leadership.
Černová Tragedy Day(Slovakia)
Černová Tragedy Day commemorates the 1907 massacre of Slovak villagers by Hungarian gendarmes. It has become a symbol of resistance and remembrance.
Flag Day (Greece)
Greece’s Flag Day celebrates the national banner and its role in the country’s history. The day honors the blue and white emblem of independence and unity.
Independence Day (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), celebrates the independence ofSaint Vincent and the Grenadinesfrom United Kingdom in 1979.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines observes its Independence Day on October 27, marking freedom from British colonial rule in 1979. The nation celebrates with prideful national events.
International Religious Freedom Day (United States)
A U.S. observance promoting the right to freedom of religion worldwide, held each October 27. It honors the passage of the International Religious Freedom Act.
National Black Cat Day (United Kingdom)
National Black Cat Day celebrates the charm and mystique of black cats while encouraging their adoption. It aims to dispel myths and support feline welfare.
Navy Day (United States)(unofficial, official date is October 13)
An American observance honoring the establishment of the U.S. Navy, informally marked on October 27. It commemorates the Continental Navy’s founding in 1775.
World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
An international observance on October 27 that promotes the preservation of audio and visual materials. It raises awareness of heritage at risk.
Abbán
Feast day of Saint Abbán, an early Irish abbot and monastic founder. He is celebrated for his missionary work and spiritual leadership.
Events
Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross.
Constantine the Great reportedly experienced a vision of a cross in the sky, inspiring him before a crucial battle.
Traditional founding of the city of Amsterdam.
According to legend, Amsterdam began as a small fishing village formed by damming the Amstel river.
French troops lay siege to Pavia.
French forces under King Francis I laid siege to the strategic city of Pavia during the Italian Wars.
Condemned as a heretic, Michael Servetus is burned at the stake just outside Geneva.
Spanish theologian Michael Servetus was condemned for heresy and executed by burning in Geneva.
Second Battle of Newbury in the English Civil War.
Parliamentarian and Royalist forces clashed at the Second Battle of Newbury during the English Civil War.
The French garrison in Grave surrenders the town to a Dutch army after a difficult siege.
After a prolonged siege, the French garrison at Grave capitulated to Dutch forces in the Franco-Dutch War.
Philadelphia is founded in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
William Penn established Philadelphia as a model city promoting religious freedom and trade.
King George III expands on his Proclamation of Rebellion in the Thirteen Colonies in his speech from the throne at the opening of Parliament.
King George III declared the American colonists in open rebellion during his speech to Parliament.
The United States and Spain sign the Treaty of Madrid, which establishes the boundaries between Spanish colonies and the U.S.
The Treaty of Madrid formalized the border between the United States and Spanish territories.
Births
Emperor Ai of Tang
Emperor Ai of Tang was the last ruler of China's Tang dynasty, ascending the throne as a child and presiding over its final years.
Chai Rong
Chai Rong was Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, noted for his military leadership and reforms that strengthened the dynasty.
Raymond VI
Raymond VI was the Count of Toulouse who became a central figure in the Albigensian Crusade and a patron of Occitan culture.
Taejo of Joseon was the founder and first monarch of Korea's Joseon dynasty, initiating reforms that shaped Korean history.
Catherine of Valois was a French princess who became queen consort of England as the wife of King Henry V.
Mary Sidney
Mary Sidney was an English writer, translator, and patroness, recognized as one of the leading literary figures of the Elizabethan era.
Marie Elisabeth of France
Marie Elisabeth of France was a French princess, daughter of King Henry III, who died at a young age.
Christian I
Christian I was the first Duke of Saxe-Merseburg, noted for establishing his ducal court and promoting reconstruction after the Thirty Years' War.
Fyodor Apraksin
Fyodor Apraksin was a pioneering Russian admiral and statesman, instrumental in founding Russia's naval power under Peter the Great.
Deaths
Æthelstan
Æthelstan was the first King of England who unified various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and secured his realm through decisive military victories. He is remembered for fostering the Church and establishing legal reforms.
Qirwash ibn al-Muqallad
Qirwash ibn al-Muqallad was an Uqaylid emir of Mosul who navigated the complex politics of the mid-11th century Near East. His leadership was marked by efforts to preserve his emirate’s independence against competing dynasties.
Ulrich III
Ulrich III was Duke of Carinthia whose rule in the mid-13th century helped stabilize the Alpine region through strategic alliances and local governance.
Hugh IV
Hugh IV was the Duke of Burgundy who led the Burgundian forces on the Seventh Crusade and patronized the arts and religious institutions. His long reign saw Burgundy grow in political influence and cultural richness.
Walter de Merton
Walter de Merton served as Lord Chancellor of England and founded Merton College at Oxford, pioneering collegiate education in medieval Europe. He held high ecclesiastical office and shaped royal administration under Henry III and Edward I.
Beatrice of Castile
Beatrice of Castile was Queen consort of Portugal whose dynastic marriage strengthened ties between the kingdoms of Castile and Portugal. She was known for her piety and role in securing the future lineage of Portugal.
John II
John II was Duke of Brabant who promoted peace and urban development in his duchy during the early 14th century. He negotiated with Flanders and supported the growth of towns under his reign.
Hugh le Despenser
Hugh le Despenser was the flamboyant 1st Earl of Winchester and a favorite of King Edward II whose influence sparked baronial conflict.
Elizabeth de Burgh
Elizabeth de Burgh was Queen of Scotland as the wife of Robert the Bruce and endured years of captivity during the Wars of Scottish Independence.