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
June 27 Saturday, June 27, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 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
8
Holidays
2015
Disaster 11 years ago
Formosa Fun Coast fire: A dust fire occurs at a recreational water park in Taiwan, killing 15 people and injuring 497 others, 199 critically.
A dust explosion at the Formosa Fun Coast water park in Taiwan kills 15 people and injures 497 others, 199 critically.
History
What happened on June 27
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1499Science
Amerigo Vespucci sights what is now Amapá State in Brazil.
Amerigo Vespucci sights the coast of what is now Amapá State in Brazil.
- 1556Religion
The thirteen Stratford Martyrs are burned at the stake near London for their Protestant beliefs.
Thirteen Protestants are burned at the stake near London for their religious beliefs.
- 1743UK history
In the Battle of Dettingen, George II becomes the last reigning British monarch to participate in a battle.
George II leads British forces to victory at the Battle of Dettingen, becoming the last reigning British monarch to participate in combat.
- 1760War
Anglo-Cherokee War: Cherokee warriors defeat British forces at the Battle of Echoee near present-day Otto, North Carolina.
Cherokee warriors defeat British forces in the Battle of Echoee near present-day Otto, North Carolina.
- 1844Religion
Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and his brother Hyrum Smith, are killed by a mob at the Carthage, Illinois jail.
Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith are murdered by a mob at the Carthage Jail.
- 1864US history
American Civil War: Confederate forces defeat Union forces during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain during the Atlanta campaign.
Confederate forces win the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain against Union troops in the Atlanta campaign.
- 1957Disaster
Hurricane Audrey makes landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, killing over 400 people, mainly in and around Cameron, Louisiana.
Hurricane Audrey devastates the Texas-Louisiana border, claiming more than 400 lives.
- 1982Technology
Space Shuttle Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center on the final research and development flight mission, STS-4.
The Space Shuttle Columbia launches on its final research and development mission, STS-4.
- 2013Science
NASA launches the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph space probe to observe the Sun.
NASA launches the IRIS spacecraft to study the Sun's atmosphere, aiming to unravel mysteries of solar weather.
- 2015Disaster
Formosa Fun Coast fire: A dust fire occurs at a recreational water park in Taiwan, killing 15 people and injuring 497 others, 199 critically.
A dust explosion at the Formosa Fun Coast water park in Taiwan kills 15 people and injures 497 others, 199 critically.
- 2017Technology
A series of powerful cyberattacks using the Petya malware target websites of Ukrainian organizations and counterparts with Ukrainian connections around the globe.
A wave of cyberattacks using Petya malware cripples Ukrainian organizations and their international partners across multiple countries.
- 2024Politics
U.S. President Joe Biden debates former U.S. President Donald Trump. Biden's perceived poor performance leads to his withdrawal from the election on July 21.
Joe Biden withdraws from the presidential race following a debate performance widely viewed as poor, reshaping the campaign against Donald Trump.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 27
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 43
Dale Steyn
South African cricketer
Dale Steyn, the South African cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time for his ability to produce late swing at high pace, turns 42 today.
Born
1983
Turns 43
today
Manuel II Palaiologos
Byzantine emperor
1350 – 1425
Grace Lee Boggs
American philosopher, author, and activist
1915 – 2015
Danny Schechter
American director, producer, and screenwriter
1942 – 2015
Madan Bhandari
Nepalese politician
1952 – 1993
Craig Hodges
American basketball player and coach
b. 1960 · 66
Michael Ball
English actor and singer
b. 1962 · 64
Music
The number one songs on June 27
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on June 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 June 27, 1954
The FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Hungary and Brazil, highly anticipated to be exciting, instead turns violent, with three players ejected and further fighting continuing after the game.
The FIFA World Cup quarterfinal between Hungary and Brazil turns violent, resulting in three ejections and continued fighting post-game.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 27, 1954
The Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, the Soviet Union's first nuclear power station, opens in Obninsk, near Moscow.
The Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant begins operations, marking it as the Soviet Union's first nuclear power station.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Canadian Multiculturalism Day (Canada)
International
Multiculturalism in Canada was officially adopted by the government during the 1970s and 1980s
Commemoration Day for the Victims of the Communist Regime (Czech Republic)
International
Milada Horáková was a Czech politician and a member of the underground resistance movement against Nazi Germany and then against the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
Day of Turkmen Workers of Culture and Art and poetry of Magtymguly Pyragy (Turkmenistan)
International
Public Holidays in Turkmenistan are laid out in the Constitution of Turkmenistan, which acts as a list of nationally recognized public holidays in the country
Helen Keller Day (United States)
International
Helen Keller Day is a commemorative holiday to celebrate the birth of Helen Keller, observed on June 27 annually
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Djibouti from France in 1977.
International
Independence Day, observed annually on 27 June, is a national holiday in Djibouti
Mixed Race Day (Brazil)
International
In Brazil, "Mixed Race Day" is observed annually on June 27, three days after the Day of the Caboclo, in celebration of all mixed-race Brazilians, including the caboclos