1655day.year
Second Northern War/the Deluge: Monks at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa are successful in fending off a month-long siege.
Polish monks defend the Jasna Góra Monastery against Swedish forces during a crucial siege.
During the Second Northern War’s Deluge phase, Swedish troops besieged Jasna Góra Monastery in 1655.
For over a month, a small garrison of Polish monks and local volunteers held the fortress against superior numbers.
Their steadfast defense became a symbol of national resilience and inspired resistance across Poland.
King John II Casimir later credited the miraculous protection of the Black Madonna icon for the monastery’s survival.
The successful defense halted Swedish advances and shifted the momentum in favor of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Today, the siege is commemorated as a defining moment in Poland’s cultural and religious heritage.
1655
Second Northern War
Deluge
Jasna Góra Monastery
Częstochowa
month-long siege
1814day.year
War of 1812: The destruction of the schooner USS Carolina brings to an end Commodore Daniel Patterson's makeshift fleet, which fought a series of delaying actions that contributed to Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans.
USS Carolina is destroyed, concluding a series of naval skirmishes that impacted the Battle of New Orleans.
On December 27, 1814, British forces targeted and destroyed the schooner USS Carolina in Lake Borgne.
The loss marked the end of Commodore Daniel Patterson’s improvised flotilla aimed at delaying the British advance.
Despite limited resources, Patterson’s ships impeded enemy movements and bought critical time for American defenses.
These naval actions allowed General Andrew Jackson to fortify positions near New Orleans before the main British assault.
Jackson's decisive victory on January 8, 1815, owed much to the breathing space provided by these engagements.
The event illustrates the interconnectedness of naval and land operations during the War of 1812.
1814
War of 1812
USS Carolina
Daniel Patterson
Andrew Jackson
Battle of New Orleans
1918day.year
The Great Poland Uprising against the Germans begins.
The Greater Poland Uprising erupts as Poles rise against German rule, seeking to reclaim autonomy at the close of World War I.
On December 27, 1918, Polish insurgents initiated the Great Poland Uprising in the province of Posen, aiming to liberate the region from German control. Sparked by news of the armistice ending World War I, local Poles formed militias to seize key towns and railway junctions. Under leaders like Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the uprising rapidly gained momentum and widespread public support. Despite initial resistance, German forces were gradually pushed back. The revolt ultimately secured Greater Poland's incorporation into the newly reborn Polish state. This successful uprising became a symbol of national determination and unity.
1918
Great Poland Uprising
1918day.year
Ukrainian War of Independence: The Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine occupies Yekaterinoslav and seizes seven airplanes from the UPRAF, establishing an Insurgent Air Fleet.
During the Ukrainian War of Independence, the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine captures Yekaterinoslav and establishes an insurgent air fleet.
On December 27, 1918, the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine advanced on Yekaterinoslav, seizing control of the city and capturing seven aircraft from the Ukrainian People's Republic Air Fleet. Utilizing these planes, the insurgents formed their own Insurgent Air Fleet to support future operations. This move demonstrated the adaptability and resourcefulness of the anarchist-led army amid the chaos of the Russian Civil War. The occupation of Yekaterinoslav bolstered their reputation and underscored the fragmented power dynamics in post-World War I Ukraine. Though short-lived, this aerial capability symbolized the insurgents' innovative approach to warfare.
Ukrainian War of Independence
Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine
Yekaterinoslav
UPRAF
Insurgent Air Fleet
1939day.year
Winter War: Finland holds off a Soviet attack in the Battle of Kelja.
In 1939, Finnish forces successfully repelled a Soviet assault at the Battle of Kelja during the Winter War.
On December 27, 1939, as part of the Winter War, Finnish troops held the vital Kelja crossroads against a Soviet offensive. The clash highlighted Finland's effective use of guerrilla tactics and knowledge of the frozen terrain. Despite being outnumbered and facing harsh winter conditions, the Finns managed to inflict heavy casualties and disrupt Soviet advances. The defense of Kelja became a symbol of Finnish resilience and military ingenuity. This engagement boosted morale in Finland and delayed the Soviet timetable, underscoring the conflict's brutal and unpredictable nature.
Winter War
Soviet
Battle of Kelja
1985day.year
Palestinian guerrillas kill eighteen people inside the airports of Rome, Italy, and Vienna, Austria.
Simultaneous terrorist attacks in Rome and Vienna airports by Palestinian guerrillas kill eighteen people.
On December 27, 1985, Palestinian militants carried out coordinated attacks on Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome and Vienna International Airport. Armed assailants opened fire and launched grenades in passenger terminals, causing panic and destruction. Eighteen civilians lost their lives, and dozens more were injured in the assaults. The attacks were later claimed by the Abu Nidal Organization, targeting Western interests in Europe. The incidents prompted increased security measures at international airports and highlighted the global reach of Middle Eastern conflicts during the 1980s.
1985
Palestinian
kill eighteen people
Rome
Vienna
1989day.year
The Romanian Revolution concludes, as the last minor street confrontations and stray shootings abruptly end in the country's capital, Bucharest.
The Romanian Revolution ends as the last street clashes cease in Bucharest, consolidating the fall of Ceaușescu's regime.
On December 27, 1989, the final echoes of gunfire and street confrontations subsided in Bucharest, marking the conclusion of the Romanian Revolution. Over the preceding days, mass protests and military defections had led to the overthrow and execution of President Nicolae Ceaușescu. The abrupt end of hostilities allowed revolutionary forces to establish the National Salvation Front, which assumed provisional governance. Romania began a rapid transition from communist dictatorship to multiparty democracy. The revolution's finale in Bucharest symbolized the broader collapse of Eastern Bloc communism at the close of the Cold War.
1989
Romanian Revolution
Bucharest
1996day.year
Taliban forces retake the strategic Bagram Airfield which solidifies their buffer zone around Kabul, Afghanistan.
Taliban forces recaptured the strategic Bagram Airfield on December 27, 1996, bolstering their control over northern approaches to Kabul during the Afghan civil war.
On December 27, 1996, the Taliban launched a decisive assault to seize Bagram Airfield, previously held by opposition forces. With control of this key military and logistics hub, the Taliban strengthened their encirclement of Kabul. The fall of Bagram cut off supply lines and undermined the ability of the incumbent government to resist the insurgency. This victory paved the way for the Taliban’s ascension to Kabul and the establishment of their regime. The operation marked a turning point in the Shura-e Nazar and mujahideen struggle for Afghanistan. International observers noted the rapid collapse of resistance following the airfield’s capture.
1996
Taliban
Bagram Airfield
Kabul
Afghanistan
1997day.year
Protestant paramilitary leader Billy Wright is assassinated in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Protestant paramilitary leader Billy Wright was assassinated inside the Maze Prison on December 27, 1997, shocking the Northern Ireland peace process.
Billy Wright, founder of the Loyalist Volunteer Force, was shot dead during a supervised visit inside the Maze Prison by republican inmates. The killing occurred amid high tensions as Wright had been held separately due to threats against his life. His death triggered unrest among loyalist communities and intensified scrutiny of prison security. The assassination highlighted the fragile nature of the ceasefire negotiations in the late 1990s. Authorities faced criticism over intelligence failures and their ability to prevent sectarian violence within prison walls. Wright’s killing remains a contentious chapter in the troubled history of The Troubles.
1997
Billy Wright
Northern Ireland
2002day.year
Two truck bombs kill 72 and wound 200 at the pro-Moscow headquarters of the Chechen government in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia.
On December 27, 2002, twin truck bomb attacks struck the Chechen government headquarters in Grozny, killing 72 and injuring around 200.
The bombings targeted the administrative center of the pro-Russian Chechen administration in Grozny. Two large explosive-laden trucks detonated in quick succession, causing widespread destruction. Government buildings and nearby civilian structures were heavily damaged by the blasts. Emergency responders struggled to reach victims amid chaotic conditions and collapsing debris. The attacks marked one of the deadliest acts during the Second Chechen War. Though no group immediately claimed responsibility, Islamic militants were widely suspected. The violence exacerbated tensions between Moscow and separatist factions.
2002
Two truck bombs
Grozny
Chechnya
2008day.year
Operation Cast Lead: Israel launches three-week operation on Gaza.
On December 27, 2008, Israel began Operation Cast Lead, a major military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip aimed at halting rocket fire from militant groups.
Operation Cast Lead opened with an intense aerial bombing campaign targeting Hamas infrastructure and weapons caches. Ground forces entered Gaza days later, engaging in urban combat in refugee camps and densely populated areas. Israel cited the need to stop rocket fire into southern communities as its primary justification. Casualties mounted on both sides, with significant civilian losses and widespread damage to infrastructure. International organizations criticized the operation for potential breaches of international humanitarian law. A unilateral ceasefire was declared by Israel in January 2009, followed by a reciprocal truce from Hamas. The conflict heightened regional tensions and prompted debates on blockades and civilian protection.
2008
Operation Cast Lead