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
December 27 Sunday, December 27, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 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
1655
European history 371 years ago
Second Northern War/the Deluge: Monks at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa are successful in fending off a month-long siege.
Monks at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa successfully defend against a month-long Swedish siege during the Second Northern War.
History
What happened on December 27
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 537European history
The second Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is consecrated.
Justinian I consecrates the rebuilt Hagia Sophia, a monumental achievement of Byzantine architecture and engineering.
- 1512US history
The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regard to native Indians in the New World.
The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, regulating interactions between Spanish settlers and indigenous peoples in the Americas.
- 1521Religion
The Zwickau prophets arrive in Wittenberg, disturbing the peace and preaching the Apocalypse.
The Zwickau prophets arrive in Wittenberg, causing unrest with their apocalyptic messages.
- 1655European history
Second Northern War/the Deluge: Monks at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa are successful in fending off a month-long siege.
Monks at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa successfully defend against a month-long Swedish siege during the Second Northern War.
- 1657US history
The Flushing Remonstrance articulates for the first time in North American history that freedom of religion is a fundamental right.
The Flushing Remonstrance, signed by colonists in New Netherland, becomes the first formal assertion in North America that freedom of religion is a fundamental right.
- 1703European history
Portugal and England sign the Methuen Treaty which allows Portugal to export wines to England on favorable trade terms.
Portugal and England sign the Methuen Treaty, granting Portugal preferential terms for exporting wine to England.
- 1831Science
Charles Darwin embarks on his journey aboard HMS Beagle, during which he will begin to formulate his theory of evolution.
Charles Darwin sets sail on the HMS Beagle, beginning a voyage that will inspire his theory of evolution.
- 1845US history
Having coined the phrase "manifest destiny" the previous July, journalist John L. O'Sullivan argued in his newspaper New York Morning News that the United States had the right to claim the entire Oregon Country.
John L. O'Sullivan argues in his newspaper that the United States has a right to claim the entire Oregon Country.
- 1996War
Taliban forces retake the strategic Bagram Airfield which solidifies their buffer zone around Kabul, Afghanistan.
Taliban forces reclaim Bagram Airfield, strengthening their defensive perimeter around Kabul.
- 1999US history
Burger King and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission order a recall of plastic Poké Ball containers after they are determined to be a choking hazard.
Burger King and the CPSC recall plastic Poké Ball containers due to choking hazards.
- 2004Science
Radiation from an explosion on the magnetar SGR 1806-20 reaches Earth. It is the brightest extrasolar event known to have been witnessed on the planet.
Radiation from a magnetar explosion reaches Earth, marking the brightest extrasolar event ever observed.
- 2008War
Operation Cast Lead: Israel launches three-week operation on Gaza.
Israel launches Operation Cast Lead, a three-week military offensive in Gaza that results in significant casualties and draws international criticism.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 27
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 36
Milos Raonic
Canadian tennis player
Milos Raonic, the Canadian tennis star who reached world No. 3 and made the 2016 Wimbledon final, turns 36 today.
Born
1990
Turns 36
today
Marlene Dietrich
German-American actress and singer
1901 – 1992
Buddy Boudreaux
American saxophonist and clarinet player
1917 – 2015
John Amos
American actor
1939 – 2024
Gérard Depardieu
French-Russian actor
b. 1948 · 78
Haris Alexiou
Greek singer-songwriter
b. 1950 · 76
Logan Bailly
Belgian footballer
b. 1985 · 41
Music
The number one songs on December 27
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 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 December 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 December 27, 2004
Radiation from an explosion on the magnetar SGR 1806-20 reaches Earth. It is the brightest extrasolar event known to have been witnessed on the planet.
Radiation from a magnetar explosion reaches Earth, marking the brightest extrasolar event ever observed.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Constitution Day (North Korea)
International
This is a list of public holidays in North Korea
Emergency Rescuer's Day (Russia)
International
Emergency Rescuer's Day is a professional holiday of Russian emergency service workers, observed annually on 27 December when the Russian Emergency Rescue Corps was established in 1990, according to t
The third of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity)
International
The Twelve Days of Christmas, or Twelve Days of Christmastide, is the festive Christian season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus