Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
March 27 Friday, March 27, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 27 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
3
Holidays
1794
US history 232 years ago
The United States Government establishes a permanent navy and authorizes the building of six frigates.
Congress authorizes construction of six frigates, establishing the foundation of what becomes the United States Navy.
History
What happened on March 27
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1309Religion
Pope Clement V imposes excommunication and interdiction on Venice, and a general prohibition of all commercial intercourse with Venice, which had seized Ferrara, a papal fiefdom.
Pope Clement V excommunicates Venice, bans commerce with it, and imposes interdiction for seizing the papal fiefdom of Ferrara.
- 1329Religion
Pope John XXII issues his In Agro Dominico condemning some writings of Meister Eckhart as heretical.
Pope John XXII condemns writings by Meister Eckhart as heretical in the papal bull In Agro Dominico.
- 1513US history
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León reaches the northern end of The Bahamas on his first voyage to Florida.
Juan Ponce de León arrives at the northern tip of The Bahamas, beginning his exploration that would lead him to Florida.
- 1625UK history
Charles I becomes King of England, Scotland and Ireland as well as claiming the title King of France.
Charles I becomes king of England, Scotland, and Ireland, also claiming the title King of France.
- 1638Disaster
The first of four destructive Calabrian earthquakes strikes southern Italy. Measuring magnitude 6.8 and assigned a Mercalli intensity of XI, it kills 10,000-30,000 people.
A powerful earthquake hits Calabria, southern Italy, killing between 10,000 and 30,000 people.
- 1782UK history
The Second Rockingham ministry assumes office in Great Britain and begins negotiations to end the American War of Independence.
Lord Shelburne's Second Rockingham ministry takes office and initiates talks to conclude the American War of Independence.
- 1794US history
The United States Government establishes a permanent navy and authorizes the building of six frigates.
Congress authorizes construction of six frigates, establishing the foundation of what becomes the United States Navy.
- 1836War
Texas Revolution: On the orders of General Antonio López de Santa Anna, the Mexican Army massacres 342 Texian Army POWs at Goliad, Texas.
The Mexican Army executes 342 Texian prisoners of war in Goliad, Texas, on orders from General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
- 1899War
Emilio Aguinaldo leads Filipino forces for the only time during the Philippine-American War at the Battle of Marilao River.
Emilio Aguinaldo leads Filipino forces in the Battle of Marilao River, the sole instance he commands troops during the Philippine-American War.
- 1990US history
The United States begins broadcasting anti-Castro propaganda to Cuba on TV Martí.
The United States launches TV Martí, broadcasting anti-Castro propaganda to Cuba.
- 1993Politics
Italian former minister and Christian Democracy leader Giulio Andreotti is accused of mafia allegiance by the tribunal of Palermo.
Giulio Andreotti, seven-time Italian prime minister and Christian Democracy leader, faces accusations of mafia allegiance from the Palermo tribunal.
- 2016Disaster
A suicide blast in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Lahore claims over 70 lives and leaves almost 300 others injured. The target of the bombing are Christians celebrating Easter.
A suicide bombing at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore kills more than 70 people and injures nearly 300, targeting Christians celebrating Easter.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 27
7 this date All birthdays
Sándor Kőrösi Csoma
Hungarian philologist, orientalist, and author
Sándor Kőrösi Csoma, the Hungarian philologist and orientalist who authored the first Tibetan-English dictionary and grammar book, was born today in 1784.
Born
1784
Died
1842
Domenico Lalli
Italian poet and librettist
1679 – 1741
Jane Colden
American botanist and author
1724 – 1766
Erich Ollenhauer
German politician
1901 – 1963
Colin Rowe
English-American architect, theorist and academic
1920 – 1999
Brenda Song
American actress
b. 1988 · 38
Jessie J
English singer-songwriter
b. 1988 · 38
Music
The number one songs on March 27
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Texas Hold 'Em"— Beyoncé
- 2023"Flowers"— Miley Cyrus
- 2022"Starlight"— Dave
- 2021"Wellerman"— Nathan Evans , 220 Kid and Billen Ted
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport March 27, 1871
The first international rugby football match, when Scotland defeats England in Edinburgh at Raeburn Place.
Scotland defeats England in the first international rugby football match at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 27, 1845
Wilhelm Röntgen, discoverer of X-rays, is born in Lennep, Prussia
Röntgen would go on to discover X-radiation in 1895, revolutionizing medical diagnostics and earning the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Myanmar)
International
Armed Forces Day, also known as Revolution Day, is the professional holiday of the Tatmadaw, celebrated annually on 27 March
Day of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania (Romania)
International
The Day of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania is a holiday of Romania celebrated every 27 March to commemorate the union of Bessarabia with Romania on 27 March 1918
World Theatre Day (International)
International
World Theatre Day (WTD) is an international observance celebrated on 27 March
❝
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
— William Shakespeare · born March 27, 1564