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
August 27 Thursday, August 27, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 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
2
Holidays
1557
European history 469 years ago
The Battle of St. Quentin results in Emmanuel Philibert becoming Duke of Savoy.
Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy regains his duchy after leading Spanish forces to victory at the Battle of St. Quentin.
History
What happened on August 27
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 410European history
The sacking of Rome by the Visigoths ends after three days.
The Visigoths end their three-day sacking of Rome, concluding one of history's most devastating sieges.
- 1172UK history
Henry the Young King and Margaret of France are crowned junior king and queen of England.
Henry the Young King and Margaret of France are crowned junior monarchs of England in a joint ceremony at Winchester Cathedral.
- 1232World history
Shikken Hojo Yasutoki of the Kamakura shogunate promulgates the Goseibai Shikimoku, the first Japanese legal code governing the samurai class.
Yasutoki promulgates the Goseibai Shikimoku, Japan's first legal code for the samurai class.
- 1353War
War of the Straits and Sardinian-Aragonese war: The Battle of Alghero results in a crushing victory of the allied Aragonese and Venetian fleet over the Genoese fleet, most of which is captured.
The allied Aragonese and Venetian fleets achieve a decisive victory over the Genoese at Alghero, capturing much of their enemy's fleet.
- 1557European history
The Battle of St. Quentin results in Emmanuel Philibert becoming Duke of Savoy.
Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy regains his duchy after leading Spanish forces to victory at the Battle of St. Quentin.
- 1597War
Jeongyu War: Battle of Chilcheollyang: A Japanese fleet of 500 ships destroys Joseon commander Wŏn Kyun's fleet of 200 ships at Chilcheollyang.
A Japanese fleet of 500 ships defeats Joseon commander Wŏn Kyun’s fleet of 200 ships in the Battle of Chilcheollyang.
- 1600War
Ishida Mitsunari's Western Army commences the Siege of Fushimi Castle, which is lightly defended by a much smaller Tokugawa garrison led by Torii Mototada.
Ishida Mitsunari's forces begin the Siege of Fushimi Castle, facing a smaller Tokugawa garrison commanded by Torii Mototada.
- 1689World history
The Treaty of Nerchinsk is signed by Russia and the Qing Empire (Julian calendar).
Russia and the Qing Empire sign the Treaty of Nerchinsk, establishing their eastern border.
- 1791European history
French Revolution: Frederick William II of Prussia and Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, issue the Declaration of Pillnitz, declaring the joint support of the Holy Roman Empire and Prussia for the French monarchy, agitating the French revolutionaries and contributing to the outbreak of the War of the First Coalition.
The Declaration of Pillnitz is issued by Frederick William II of Prussia and Leopold II, declaring support for the French monarchy, which agitates revolutionaries and leads to the War of the First Coalition.
- 1793War
French Revolutionary Wars: The city of Toulon revolts against the French Republic and admits the British and Spanish fleets to seize its port, leading to the Siege of Toulon by French Revolutionary forces.
Toulon revolts against the French Republic, admitting British and Spanish fleets into its strategic Mediterranean port before revolutionary forces lay siege to the city.
- 1896War
Anglo-Zanzibar War: The shortest war in world history (09:02 to 09:40), between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War lasts just 38 minutes, making it the shortest war in history.
- 1908World history
The Qing dynasty promulgates the Qinding Xianfa Dagang, the first constitutional document in the history of China, transforming the Qing empire into a constitutional monarchy.
The Qing dynasty issues the Qinding Xianfa Dagang, establishing China's first constitutional framework and transitioning the empire to a constitutional monarchy.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 27
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 51
Mase
American rapper, songwriter and pastor
Mase, the American rapper who rose to fame as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs' hype man and Bad Boy Records artist in the late 1990s, turns 50 today.
Born
1975
Turns 51
today
Giuseppe Peano
Italian mathematician and philosopher
1858 – 1932
Denis G. Lillie
British biologist, member of the 1910-1913 Terra Nova Expedition
1884 – 1963
Rosalie E. Wahl
American lawyer and jurist
1924 – 2013
Sri Chinmoy
Indian-American guru and poet
1931 – 2007
Alex Lifeson
Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
b. 1953 · 73
Kim Petras
German singer-songwriter
b. 1992 · 34
Music
The number one songs on August 27
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 27, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport August 27, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 27, 1939
First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft.
Ernst Heinkel's He 178 takes its historic flight, marking the world’s first jet-powered aircraft.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Independence Day (Republic of Moldova), celebrates the independence of Moldova from the USSR in 1991.
International
Independence Day is the national day of Moldova, commemorating the adoption of the Moldovan Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union on 27 August 1991
Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (Texas, United States)
International
Lyndon Baines Johnson Day is a legal state holiday in Texas