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
May 27 Wednesday, May 27, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 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
6
Holidays
War 38 years ago
Somaliland War of Independence: The Somali National Movement launches a major offensive against Somali government forces in Hargeisa and Burao, then the second- and third-largest cities of Somalia.
The Somali National Movement launches a major offensive against government forces in Hargeisa and Burao, Somalia's second- and third-largest cities.
History
What happened on May 27
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1096European history
Count Emicho enters Mainz, where his followers massacre Jewish citizens. At least 600 Jews are killed.
Count Emicho's followers massacre at least 600 Jewish citizens in Mainz.
- 1120Royalty
Richard III of Capua is anointed as Prince two weeks before his untimely death.
Richard III of Capua is anointed as prince, a title he holds for just two weeks before dying.
- 1199UK history
John is crowned King of England.
John is crowned King of England, succeeding his brother Richard I (the Lionheart) after a disputed succession with his nephew Arthur of Brittany.
- 1257UK history
Richard of Cornwall, and his wife, Sanchia of Provence, are crowned King and Queen of the Germans at Aachen Cathedral.
Richard of Cornwall and his wife Sanchia of Provence are crowned King and Queen of the Germans in Aachen Cathedral.
- 1595UK history
A Gaelic Irish army successfully ambushes an English force in the battle of Clontibret during the Nine Years' War.
A Gaelic Irish army ambushed and defeated an English force at the Battle of Clontibret during the Nine Years' War.
- 1644War
Manchu regent Dorgon defeats rebel leader Li Zicheng of the Shun dynasty at the Battle of Shanhai Pass, allowing the Manchus to enter and conquer the capital city of Beijing.
Dorgon defeats Li Zicheng at Shanhai Pass, enabling the Manchu invasion and conquest of Beijing.
- 1703World history
Tsar Peter the Great founds the city of Saint Petersburg.
Peter the Great establishes Saint Petersburg as Russia's new capital, envisioning it as a window to the West.
- 1799War
War of the Second Coalition: Austrian forces defeat the French at Winterthur, Switzerland.
Austrian forces defeat the French at Winterthur, Switzerland, securing a key victory in the War of the Second Coalition.
- 1863War
American Civil War: The first Union infantry assault of the Siege of Port Hudson occurs.
Union forces launch their first infantry attack during the Siege of Port Hudson.
- 1896Disaster
The F4-strength St. Louis-East St. Louis tornado hits in St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois, killing at least 255 people and causing over $10 million in damage.
A F4-strength tornado devastates St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois, killing at least 255 people and causing extensive damage.
- 1988War
Somaliland War of Independence: The Somali National Movement launches a major offensive against Somali government forces in Hargeisa and Burao, then the second- and third-largest cities of Somalia.
The Somali National Movement launches a major offensive against government forces in Hargeisa and Burao, Somalia's second- and third-largest cities.
- 2001World history
Members of Abu Sayyaf, an Islamist separatist group, seize twenty hostages from an affluent island resort on Palawan in the Philippines; the hostage crisis would not be resolved until June 2002.
Members of Abu Sayyaf seize twenty hostages from a resort on Palawan, beginning a crisis that lasts until June 2002.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 27
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 95
Philip Kotler
American author and professor
Philip Kotler, the S. C. Johnson & Son Distinguished Professor emeritus at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and author of over 80 books including Marketing Management, turns 94 today.
Born
1931
Turns 95
today
Emperor Dezong of Tang
b. 742
Elizabeth Charlotte
Princess Palatine of Germany
1652 – 1722
Louis-Ferdinand Céline
French physician and author
1894 – 1961
Lee Meriwether
American model and actress, Miss America 1955
b. 1935 · 91
Frank Thomas
American baseball player and sportscaster
b. 1968 · 58
Jadakiss
American rapper
b. 1975 · 51
Music
The number one songs on May 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"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Body"— Tion Wayne and Russ Millions
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 27, 2014
The football club Kerala Blasters FC and its first supporters' group Manjappada are formed.
Kerala Blasters FC and its first supporters' group Manjappada are established.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 27, 1958
First flight of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II makes its first flight, marking a significant advancement in military aviation.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Nicaragua)
International
Children's Day (Nigeria)
International
Nigeria has many public holidays declared by the government, as well as special days observed by the public
Mother's Day (Bolivia)
International
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society
Navy Day (Japan)
International
Public holidays in Japan were first established by the Public Holiday Law of 1948
Slavery Abolition Day (Guadeloupe, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin)
International
Guadeloupe is an overseas department and region of the French Republic in the Caribbean
Start of National Reconciliation Week (Australia)
International
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is intended to celebrate Indigenous history and culture in Australia and foster reconciliation discussion and activities
❝
Marketing is not the art of finding clever ways to dispose of what you make. It is the art of creating genuine customer value.
— Philip Kotler · born May 27, 1931