February 27

Scott Winters February 27, 2026 0 Comments

Discover what happened on February 27 in history, along with notable celebrity birthdays and fun Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1702 – A comet streaked across the Michigan skies alarming Native Americans and French fur traders.

1801 – The city of Washington, DC, was placed under congressional jurisdiction.

1827 – In New Orleans, LA, a group of masked students partied and danced in the streets for the first citywide Mardi Gras celebration.

1836 – Russell Alexander Alger was born in Ohio. The Grand Rapids lumberman became a U.S. Senator, Governor of Michigan, a Civil War General, Commander in Chief of Grand Army of the Republic. He was one of the state’s richest men. Alger School, Alger Street, and Alger Heights were named after him.

1867 – Dr. William G. Bonwill invented the dental mallet.

1883 – Oscar Hammerstein patented the first cigar-rolling machine.

1896 – A picture of an X-ray photograph made by Dr. H.L. Smith was published in the “Charlotte Observer”. The photograph showed a perfect picture of all the bones of a hand and a bullet that Smith had placed between the third and fourth fingers in the palm.

1900 – The patent for aspirin was granted in the United States.

1922 – The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 19th Amendment that guaranteed women the right to vote.

1936 – 20th Century Fox signed a contract with child actress Shirley Temple for $50,000 per film.

1939 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that sit-down strikes violate property owners’ rights and are therefore illegal.

1951 – The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting Presidents to two terms.

1955 – Billboard magazine reported that for the first time 45 rpm records outsold the larger 78 rpm platters.

1963 – The New York Yankees signed Mickey Mantle to a baseball contract for a $100,000 a year.

1970 – Jefferson Airplane was fined $1,000 for using profanity during a concert in Oklahoma City, OK.

1973 – The American Indian Movement occupied Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

1974 – The first issue of “People” magazine was published.

1981 – Chrysler Corporation was granted an additional $400 million in federal loan guarantees. Chrysler had posted a loss of $1.7 billion in 1980.

1984 – A Pepsi commercial featuring the Jacksons premiered on MTV.

1986 – The U.S. Senate approved the telecast of its debates on a trial basis.

1990 – The Exxon Corporation and Exxon Shipping were indicted on five criminal counts in reference to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

1991 – President George H.W. Bush announced live on television that “Kuwait is liberated” and “Iraq’s army is defeated.”

1997 – Don Cornelius, host of television’s “Soul Train”, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999 – Colin Prescot and Andy Elson set a new hot air balloon endurance record when they had been aloft for 233 hours and 55 minutes. The two were in the process of trying to circumnavigate the Earth.

2002 – In Boston, MA, twenty people working at Logan International Airport were charged with lying to get their jobs or security badges.

2021 – Hasbro announced that Mr. Potato Head would be changed to the gender-neutral Potato Head.

2024 – The temperature reached 73 degrees in Grand Rapids, MI. That is the first time the temperature had reached 70 degrees in the month of February in Grand Rapids. Later that afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for cold, windy, and snowy weather the following day with temperatures dropping down in to the 20s.

BIRTHDAYS:

Joanne Woodward – 96 years old (1930) – Actress

Raymond Berry – 93 years old (1933) – Football player and coach

Ralph Nader – 92 years old (1934) – Lawyer, politician, and activist

Uri Shulevitz – 91 years old (1935) – Author and illustrator

Sonia Johnson – 90 years old (1936) – Feminist activist and author

Roger Mahony – 90 years old (1936) – Cardinal

Barbara Babcock – 89 years old (1937) – Actress

Jimmy Burns – 84 years old (1942) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Charlayne Hunter-Gault – 84 years old (1942) – Journalist

Morten Lauridsen – 83 years old (1943) – Composer and conductor

Alan Guth – 79 years old (1947) – Physicist and cosmologist

Debra Monk – 77 years old (1949) – Actress, singer, and writer

Neal Schon – 72 years old (1954) – Rock guitarist and singer-songwriter

Maggie Hassan – 68 years old (1958) – Politician, 81st Governor of New Hampshire

Johnny Van Zant – 66 years old (1960) – Singer-songwriter

James Worthy – 65 years old (1961) – Basketball player and sportscaster

Adam Baldwin – 64 years old (1962) – Actor

Grant Show – 64 years old (1962) – Actor

Jeffrey Pasley – 62 years old (1964) – Educator and academic

Noah Emmerich – 61 years old (1965) – Actor

Jony Ive – 59 years old (1967) – English-American industrial designer, former chief design officer of Apple

Juan E. Gilbert – 57 years old (1969) – Computer scientist, inventor, and academic

Kent Desormeaux – 56 years old (1970) – Jockey

Sara Blakely – 55 years old (1971) – Businesswoman, founded Spanx

Rozonda Thomas – 55 years old (1971) – Singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress

Tony Gonzalez – 50 years old (1976) – Football player

Brandon Beemer – 46 years old (1980) – Actor

Chelsea Clinton – 46 years old (1980) – Journalist and academic

Bobby V – 46 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter

Josh Groban – 45 years old (1981) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actor

Devin Harris – 43 years old (1983) – Basketball player

Kate Mara – 43 years old (1983) – Actress

James Augustine – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player

Denard Span – 42 years old (1984) – Baseball player

Daniel Gibson – 40 years old (1986) – Basketball player and coach

Chandler Jones – 36 years old (1990) – Football player

Adam Morgan – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player

Lindsey Morgan – 36 years old (1990) – Actress

Meyers Leonard – 34 years old (1992) – Basketball player

Chris Godwin – 30 years old (1996) – Football player

Johnny Davis – 24 years old (2002) – Basketball player

TODAY IS:

National Pokemon Day: Epic adventures with adorable creatures as you explore vibrant worlds, make new friends, and battle fierce opponents in this iconic game.
National Strawberry Day: This juicy red fruit pairs well with chocolate, whipped cream, and champagne. Perfect for summer picnics and romantic evenings.
Skip the Straw Day: Skip the Straw Day is a vibrant call to action encouraging everyone to rethink their use of plastic straws. This special day highlights the harmful effects of single-use plastics on our environment. By participating, people take a simple yet powerful step towards reducing plastic waste. It's easy for individuals to...
Khachapuri Day: Khachapuri Day is a celebration dedicated to Georgia's beloved cheese-filled bread, which is a true symbol of the country’s rich culinary heritage. This special day represents Georgian identity and hospitality! How to Celebrate Khachapuri Day Celebrating Khachapuri Day is a deliciously fun way to enjoy Georgia’s iconic cheese-filled bread while embracing a...
World NGO Day: In a world of problems, NGOs bring hope — from poverty to environmental disasters, they are true superheroes of our society.
International Polar Bear Day: A symbol of strength and resilience in the face of adversity, these arctic creatures have a thick, white coat and can swim long distances.
Work Your Proper Hours Day: Imagine a world where you work just the right amount of time to get everything done and still have time left over to do the things you love.
Retro Day: Retro Day is a vibrant celebration that takes us back to the good times of the past. This day invites everyone to indulge in nostalgia by embracing the styles, music, and culture of earlier decades! How to Celebrate Retro Day Dress the Part Start your Retro Day with a splash by donning vintage...
The Big Breakfast Day: Hearty morning feasts, piled high with a variety of delectable dishes to kickstart your day with energy and joy.
National Kahlua Day: With its rich, velvety flavor, this coffee liqueur makes for a versatile addition to cocktails, desserts, and cozy nights in.
National Protein Day: National Protein Day is celebrated annually, dedicated to highlighting the importance of protein in our diets. This day urges everyone to pay attention to their protein intake. This event is so important because it brings awareness to these issues and encourages us to include a variety of protein sources in...
No Brainer Day: Breathe deeply, and focus on the present. Practicing this regularly can help reduce stress and increase happiness in everyday life.
Anosmia Awareness Day: Smell is a sense that most people probably take for granted but it is, in fact, something that not every person has. This often underappreciated sense is an important part of everyday life – whether simply smelling flowers for enjoyment or smelling smoke that might indicate danger is nearby. Anosmia is...
Dominican Republic Independence Day: Freedom means more than a word in the Dominican Republic—it’s a feeling that lights up every corner of the nation. Independence Day celebrates that powerful spirit. Flags wave high, drums echo in the streets, and faces beam with joy. The country doesn’t just mark a day—it honors a turning point...
Future Farmers of America Week: In the heartland of America, when winter's chill begins to retreat, making way for the vibrancy of spring, a week arrives that sparks a unique blend of pride, enthusiasm, and unity among the agricultural community. This is National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week, a special period when the spotlight...
Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week: National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is a crucial event aimed at shedding light on the seriousness of eating disorders. This event is designed to raise awareness about these conditions, which affect millions of people across the globe. It's a time for communities to come together, share resources, and support those...
Bird Health Awareness Week: Bird Health Awareness Week is a lively celebration dedicated to our feathered friends. It highlights the need for proper bird care and health. This week-long event encourages bird lovers, pet owners, and enthusiasts to learn more about keeping their birds healthy. It focuses on educating the public about the importance...
National Engineers Week: With a mind full of creativity and a tool kit full of gadgets — from bridges to phones — engineers are the ultimate problem solvers!
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
Ramadan: During this holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, focusing on spiritual reflection and community. Ramadan is a time for self-improvement and bringing people together in celebration of faith.