Mars made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years
The Red Planet came within 34.6 million miles of Earth, appearing larger and brighter in the night sky than it had since Neanderthals walked the plane...
August 27 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
2003
1991
Moldova declared independence from the Soviet Union
The small Eastern European nation became independent as the USSR crumbled. Moldova's declaration was part of the domino effect of Soviet republics see...
1967
Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles, was found dead from an accidental drug overdose
The 32-year-old impresario who discovered and guided The Beatles to worldwide fame died at his London home. His death devastated the band and many bel...
1955
The Guinness Book of Records was first published
What started as a promotional idea by the Guinness Brewery to settle pub arguments became the world's best-selling copyrighted book series. Sir Hugh B...
1939
The first turbojet-powered aircraft successfully flew in Germany
The Heinkel He 178 flew for the first time, marking the beginning of the jet age. Pilot Erich Warsitz took the experimental aircraft on a brief but hi...
1928
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed, attempting to outlaw war as an instrument of national policy
Representatives from 15 nations signed this idealistic treaty in Paris, which eventually had 62 signatories. Despite noble intentions, the pact had no...
1910
Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, Ottoman Empire
MajorBorn Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, she would grow up to become one of the 20th century's most recognized humanitarian figures. She spent most of her life in...
1896
The shortest war in history ended after just 38 to 45 minutes
The Anglo-Zanzibar War began at 9:02 AM when British forces bombarded the Sultan's palace after he refused to step down. By 9:40 AM, the Sultan had fl...
1859
Edwin Drake successfully drilled the world's first commercial oil well in Pennsylvania
MajorDrake struck oil at 69.5 feet near Titusville, launching the modern petroleum industry. His well initially produced 25 barrels per day, transforming e...
1664
New Amsterdam was surrendered to the British and renamed New York
MajorDutch director-general Peter Stuyvesant reluctantly surrendered the colony to English forces without firing a shot, as his citizens refused to fight....
