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
July 27 Monday, July 27, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 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
5
Holidays
1981
Disaster 45 years ago
While landing at Chihuahua International Airport, Aeromexico Flight 230 overshoots the runway. Thirty-two of the 66 passengers and crew on board the DC-9 are killed.
Aeromexico Flight 230 overshoots the runway while landing at Chihuahua International Airport, killing 32 of the 66 passengers and crew aboard the DC-9.
History
What happened on July 27
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1054UK history
Siward, Earl of Northumbria, invades Scotland and defeats Macbeth, King of Scotland, somewhere north of the Firth of Forth. This is known as the Battle of Dunsinane.
Siward, Earl of Northumbria, invades Scotland and defeats King Macbeth at the Battle of Dunsinane, fought north of the Firth of Forth.
- 1189War
Friedrich Barbarossa arrives at Niš, the capital of Serbian King Stefan Nemanja, during the Third Crusade.
Friedrich Barbarossa meets with Serbian King Stefan Nemanja in Niš during the Third Crusade.
- 1202War
Georgian-Seljuk wars: At the Battle of Basian the Kingdom of Georgia defeats the Sultanate of Rum.
The Kingdom of Georgia defeats the Sultanate of Rum at the Battle of Basian, securing Georgian dominance in the Caucasus region.
- 1214European history
Battle of Bouvines: Philip II of France decisively defeats Imperial, English and Flemish armies, effectively ending John of England's Angevin Empire.
Philip II of France defeats an alliance including English and Flemish forces, securing his dominance and weakening the Angevin Empire.
- 1302War
Battle of Bapheus: Decisive Ottoman victory over the Byzantines opening up Bithynia for Turkish conquest.
The Ottoman Empire secures a decisive victory over the Byzantines at Bapheus, paving the way for Turkish control of Bithynia.
- 1549World history
The Jesuit priest Francis Xavier's ship reaches Japan.
Francis Xavier arrives in Japan, marking the beginning of Catholic missionary work there.
- 1689UK history
Glorious Revolution: The Battle of Killiecrankie is a victory for the Jacobites.
John Graham of Claverhouse leads the Jacobite forces to victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie against government troops.
- 1694UK history
A Royal charter is granted to the Bank of England.
The Bank of England receives a royal charter, establishing it as the central bank of England.
- 1714War
The Great Northern War: The first significant victory of the Russian Navy in the naval battle of Gangut against the Swedish Navy near the Hanko Peninsula.
Russia secures its first major naval victory at Gangut, defeating the Swedish fleet near the Hanko Peninsula.
- 1778War
American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.
The British and French fleets engage in the First Battle of Ushant, resulting in a tactical stalemate.
- 1890Culture
Vincent van Gogh shoots himself and dies two days later.
Vincent van Gogh shoots himself, leading to his death two days later.
- 1981Disaster
While landing at Chihuahua International Airport, Aeromexico Flight 230 overshoots the runway. Thirty-two of the 66 passengers and crew on board the DC-9 are killed.
Aeromexico Flight 230 overshoots the runway while landing at Chihuahua International Airport, killing 32 of the 66 passengers and crew aboard the DC-9.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 27
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 67
Yiannos Papantoniou
French-Greek economist and politician, Greek Minister of National Defence
Yiannos Papantoniou, French-Greek economist who served as Greece's Minister of Economy and Finance (1994-2001) and Minister of National Defence (2001-03), turns 66 today.
Born
1959
Turns 67
today
Stanislav Binički
Serbian composer, conductor, and pedagogue.
1872 – 1942
Leo Durocher
American baseball player and manager
1905 – 1991
Irene Fischer
Austrian-American geodesist and mathematician
1907 – 2009
Jean Baudrillard
French sociologist and philosopher
1929 – 2007
Sabina Jeschke
Swedish-German engineer and academic
b. 1968 · 58
Taylor Schilling
American actress
b. 1984 · 42
Music
The number one songs on July 27
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 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 July 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 July 27, 1921
Researchers at the University of Toronto, led by biochemist Frederick Banting, prove that the hormone insulin regulates blood sugar.
Frederick Banting and his team discover that insulin regulates blood sugar, a breakthrough for diabetes treatment.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War (North Korea)
International
The Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War is a national holiday in North Korea celebrated on July 27 to mark the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement which brought a cease fire to
Iglesia ni Cristo Day (the Philippines)
International
Public holidays in the Philippines are of two types: regular holidays and special non-working days
José Celso Barbosa Day (Puerto Rico)
International
Puerto Rico celebrates all official U
Medical Workers Day (Ukraine)
International
Medical Workers Day is a professional holiday for healthcare workers in Ukraine
Martyrs and Wounded Soldiers Day (Vietnam)
International
Public holidays in Vietnam are days when workers get the day off work