27th of August: A Day in History, Traditions, and Calendar Facts

August 27th: A Day in History, Traditions, and Calendar Facts

August 27th is a day filled with remarkable historical events, cultural observances, and significant milestones across different centuries. From important battles and scientific achievements to political developments and cultural celebrations, this date offers a fascinating glimpse into the past and present. In this comprehensive article, we explore what happened on August 27th, major historical events, famous birthdays, calendar facts, and global traditions linked to this day.


Position of August 27th in the Calendar

  • Gregorian Calendar: August 27th is the 239th day of the year.

  • Days left in the year: 126 days remain.

  • Leap Year: In a leap year, it is the 240th day of the year.

  • Week Number: It falls in the 35th week of the year.

  • Season: In the Northern Hemisphere, it is late summer, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the end of winter.

  • Zodiac Sign: Virgo (August 23 – September 22).

  • Birthstone: Peridot, symbolizing strength and positivity.

  • Birth Flower: Gladiolus and Poppy, representing remembrance, integrity, and peace.


Calendar Equivalents in Other Systems

  • Julian Calendar: Historically used in Europe, August 27th corresponds to August 14th in the Julian calendar.

  • Hebrew Calendar: Usually falls in the month of Elul, a time of spiritual preparation before Rosh Hashanah.

  • Islamic Calendar: A lunar calendar; in 2025, August 27th corresponds to 5th Safar, 1447 AH.

  • Eastern Orthodox Calendar: Observances may differ from the Gregorian calendar by up to two weeks due to the Julian system.


Holidays and Traditions on August 27th

Although August 27th does not feature many major international holidays, it is significant in certain regions and for specific observances:

  • Lyndon B. Johnson Day (Texas, USA): Honoring the 36th President of the United States, born on this date in 1908.

  • World Rock Paper Scissors Day: Celebrating the popular game that has roots in ancient China.

  • Religious Observances: Various saints’ feast days in Christian traditions.


Historical Events on August 27th

August 27th has witnessed battles, treaties, scientific discoveries, and cultural turning points. Below, we explore some of the most significant events from different eras.


1. 479 BCE – Battle of Plataea Ends the Persian Invasion of Greece

One of the earliest major events tied to this date is the Battle of Plataea, a decisive conflict during the Greco-Persian Wars. After years of Persian attempts to conquer the Greek city-states, the Greek forces united to deliver a crushing blow to the Persian army led by Mardonius. The victory at Plataea ended the second Persian invasion of Greece and preserved the independence of the Greek city-states, paving the way for the rise of Athenian democracy and Western civilization as we know it.

This battle is often remembered as the point where freedom triumphed over imperial domination, shaping the cultural and political legacy of Europe for centuries.


2. 1664 – The British Seize New Amsterdam and Rename it New York

On August 27, 1664, the English seized control of New Amsterdam from the Dutch without much resistance, renaming it New York in honor of the Duke of York. This event marked a turning point in the colonial history of North America. The city would grow into one of the world’s most important economic and cultural centers.

The peaceful transition symbolized the strategic importance of New Amsterdam, located on Manhattan Island, and demonstrated how imperial ambitions shaped the map of the modern world.


3. 1776 – Battle of Long Island: The Largest Battle of the American Revolutionary War

The Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) began on August 27, 1776. It was the first major battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and remains the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War in terms of troop numbers.

Led by General George Washington, the Continental Army faced the superior forces of the British under General William Howe. Despite their defeat and heavy casualties, Washington managed a strategic retreat across the East River, preserving his army and prolonging the revolutionary cause.

The battle highlighted the resilience and determination of the revolutionaries, setting the stage for eventual American independence.


4. 1813 – The Battle of Dresden During the Napoleonic Wars

On August 27, 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon Bonaparte achieved one of his last major victories at the Battle of Dresden. Facing a coalition of Austrian, Prussian, and Russian forces, Napoleon’s tactical genius allowed him to defeat a much larger enemy army.

However, despite this victory, the war would soon turn against him. The defeat at Leipzig later in the same year would mark the decline of Napoleon’s empire. The Battle of Dresden serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of power and the importance of strategy in warfare.


5. 1859 – The First Successful Oil Well Drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania

August 27, 1859, marks the beginning of the modern petroleum industry. On this day, Edwin Drake successfully drilled the first commercial oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania. This achievement sparked an energy revolution, fueling the industrial age and transforming economies worldwide.

Drake’s well produced about 25 barrels of oil per day, a modest amount by today’s standards, but it was groundbreaking at the time. This event laid the foundation for an industry that still shapes global geopolitics, economics, and environmental policies.


6. 1883 – The Krakatoa Eruption: One of the Deadliest Volcanic Disasters in History

On August 27, 1883, the Indonesian island volcano Krakatoa erupted catastrophically. The explosion was so powerful that it destroyed over two-thirds of the island, generated massive tsunamis, and killed more than 36,000 people.

The eruption was heard over 3,000 miles away, and its effects on global climate were profound. The ash thrown into the atmosphere caused stunning sunsets worldwide and led to a noticeable drop in global temperatures. This disaster remains a stark reminder of the power of nature and its ability to alter human history.


7. 1928 – The Kellogg-Briand Pact Signed to Renounce War

On August 27, 1928, fifteen nations signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact in Paris, an ambitious treaty aimed at renouncing war as a means of national policy. While the pact ultimately failed to prevent future conflicts like World War II, it represented an important attempt at establishing international peace.

This treaty paved the way for the development of modern international law and influenced the formation of the United Nations Charter decades later.


8. 1962 – NASA Launches Mariner 2 Toward Venus

On August 27, 1962, NASA launched the Mariner 2 spacecraft on a historic mission to Venus. This became the first successful interplanetary mission, marking a milestone in human exploration of the solar system.

Mariner 2’s success provided critical data about Venus, including its high surface temperatures and thick atmosphere. It was a giant leap in the era of space exploration, setting the stage for future planetary missions.


Other Notable Events on August 27th

  • 1856: The first passenger train operated in India between Bombay and Thane.

  • 1889: Charles G. Conn received a patent for the modern cornet design.

  • 1955: The first edition of the Guinness Book of Records was published in London.

  • 2003: Mars made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years.


Chronological Timeline of Events on August 27th

Here is a detailed timeline of significant historical events that occurred on August 27th across the centuries:

  • 479 BCE – The Battle of Plataea: Greek forces defeat the Persians in the last major land battle of the Greco-Persian Wars.

  • 413 BCE – The Syracuse Expedition ends disastrously for Athens during the Peloponnesian War.

  • 1172 – Henry II of England lands in Ireland, beginning English involvement that would last centuries.

  • 1859Edwin Drake drills the first commercial oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania.

  • 1883Krakatoa eruption reaches its climax, causing tsunamis and global climate changes.

  • 1928Kellogg–Briand Pact signed, renouncing war as a national policy.

  • 1939 – The Heinkel He 178 makes the first jet-powered flight in Germany.

  • 1942 – During World War II, Battle of Stalingrad intensifies with heavy casualties.

  • 1955 – The first edition of the Guinness Book of Records published in London.

  • 1979Lord Mountbatten assassinated by the IRA in Ireland.

  • 2003 – The closest approach of Mars to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, at 55.76 million km.


Famous Birthdays on August 27th

  • 1770 – Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, German philosopher.

  • 1871 – Theodore Dreiser, American novelist.

  • 1908 – Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States.

  • 1910 – Mother Teresa, Nobel Peace Prize-winning missionary.

  • 1961 – Tom Ford, fashion designer and filmmaker.


Notable Deaths on August 27th

  • 413 BCE – Nicias, Athenian politician and general.

  • 1979 – Lord Louis Mountbatten, British admiral and statesman.

  • 1985 – Samantha Smith, American peace activist.


Fun Facts About August 27th

  • The birthstone for August is Peridot, symbolising strength and protection.

  • The birth flower is the gladiolus, representing integrity and remembrance.

  • August is named after Emperor Augustus, the first emperor of Rome.


Why August 27th Matters

August 27th is a date that resonates with human ambition, resilience, and creativity. From historic battles and diplomatic milestones to scientific breakthroughs and cultural shifts, this day illustrates the diversity of human experience. Whether it’s the thunderous eruption of Krakatoa or the quiet signing of a peace pact, each event tells a story that has shaped our world.

May 10
1883

In 1883 the main volcanic eruptions (the most destructive eruption in history) took place on the island of Krakatoa (or Krakatau) in Indonesia.

The first recorded eruptions on the island of Krakatoa began 203 years before the huge catastrophic eruption of 1883. This eruption which started in May 1680 was much smaller but it lasted at least until February 1681 when it was witnessed by European explorers.

The Island of Krakatoa had three volcanoes named Perboewatan, Danan and Rakata the largest of these being the former. It is believed to have been Perboewatan that erupted in 1680 and many since thought it to be extinct. The 792m (2,600 ft) high volcano had lush green fertile land down its sides (volcanic eruptions normally produce fertile soil after eruptions which is what draws residents to these potentially dangerous environments) and 200 years of inactivity gave the locals a false sense of safety. The first signs that all may not be well came in the form of small quakes in the area in the early 1880s. Then on the 20th of May 1883 smoke began to bellow from Perboewatan and by the end of May, a smaller eruption began from Perboewatan. Several earthquakes followed, some of which were felt in Australia and New Zealand, and the volcanic activity continued to grow in the following months.

Then on the 26th of August 1883, the volcano began erupting causing persistent explosions to be heard from sailors in the vicinity.  An ash cloud stretched 17 miles (27km) high and small tsunamis began to hit the surrounding islands of Java and Sumatra.

On the 27th of August, a chain of four eruptions began. Each of these eruptions created tidal waves but the fourth and final eruption changed the local landscape and affected the entire globe.  It blew the volcano apart and the entire island apart. Two-thirds of the island disappeared beneath the sea causing larger tidal waves that reached 120 ft (36 meters) in height which destroyed the entire settlements on the surrounding islands. An underwater cavern opened up and filled with seawater before sealing up. This water then became superheated and exploded causing the water to vaporise instantly. This is thought by some to be the main cause of the huge explosive sound that was heard clearly some 2,000 miles away in the Indian Ocean. The eardrums of local sailors were burst and many people around the southern hemisphere believed that the sound was caused by naval ships in the area. It is believed to have been the loudest sound in the history of the earth sending shockwaves that travelled around the earth seven times. One explanation for the intensity of the sound is not only was the initial explosion incredibly powerful (it sent volcanic rock as far as Madagascar) but the sound may also have been channelled around the southern hemisphere by an ‘inversion layer’ in the lower atmosphere. This is a rare natural phenomenon that is caused by a layer of hot air above a layer of cold air (usually air begins to cool at higher altitudes). The speed of sound in the hot air layer is faster and this caused the sound to be projected back down to the ground (instead of into the upper atmosphere as it normally would).

1962

In 1962 the U.S. space probe Marina 2 launched.

The successful mission was to ‘flyby’ Venus and make the first planetary encounter. It was successful in passing Venus within 35,000 kilometres (22,000 mi) on the 14th of December, 1962.

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