March 27
March 27 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 279 days remain until the year's end. It falls in spring (northern hemisphere) and under the astrological sign of Aries.
External references
Curated jump-off points to the major almanacs, encyclopaedias and primary sources for this date.
Astronomy
On March 27 the Sun's declination is approximately +2.4°. At this latitude the Sun is north of the celestial equator, giving the Northern Hemisphere longer days than nights.
For specific rise/set times at your location, see the U.S. Naval Observatory, or the NASA APOD archive for any imagery published on a March 27.
Position in the year
Holidays & observances
No widely-observed holidays catalogued for this day in our base set. See the external almanacs above for region-specific observances.
Events
A selection of widely-documented historical events that took place on this date. Years marked BCE follow standard astronomical convention.
1794 — The U.S. Government established a permanent navy with the Naval Act of 1794. ↗(232 years ago)more
The Act to Provide a Naval Armament, also known as the Naval Act of 1794, or simply, the Naval Act, was passed by the 3rd United States Congress on March 27, 1794, and signed into law by President George Washington. The act authorized the construction of six frigates at a total cost of $688,888.82.
1814 — Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek Confederacy at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. ↗(212 years ago)more
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, was fought during the War of 1812 in the Mississippi Territory, now central Alabama. On March 27, 1814, United States forces and Native American allies under Major General Andrew Jackson defeated the Red Sticks, a part of the Creek Indian tribe who opposed American expansion, effectively ending the Creek War.
1964 — The magnitude-9.2 Great Alaskan Earthquake struck — the strongest ever recorded in North America. ↗(62 years ago)more
The 1964 Alaska earthquake, also known as the Great Alaska earthquake and Good Friday earthquake, occurred at 5:36 PM AKST on Good Friday, March 27, 1964. Across south-central Alaska, ground fissures, collapsing structures, and tsunamis resulting from the earthquake caused about 139 deaths.
1977 — Two jumbo jets collided on the runway at Tenerife airport, killing 583 — the deadliest accident in aviation history. ↗(49 years ago)more
On 27 March 1977, two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on a runway at Los Rodeos Airport on the Spanish island of Tenerife, killing 583 people and injuring 61 others in the deadliest accident in aviation history.
Notable births
1845 — Wilhelm Röntgen, German physicist (X-rays). ↗(181 years ago)more
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was a German experimental physicist who produced and detected electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range known as X-rays. In 1901, Röntgen became the first recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics "in recognition of the extraordinary services he has rendered by the discovery of the remarkable rays subsequently named after him." ...
1924 — Sarah Vaughan, American jazz singer. ↗(102 years ago)more
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer and pianist. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One", and the "Queen of Bebop", she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was nominated for a total of nine Grammy Awards. She was given an NEA Jazz Masters Award in 1989.
1963 — Quentin Tarantino, American filmmaker. ↗(63 years ago)more
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American filmmaker, actor, and author. His films are characterized by graphic violence, extended dialogue often featuring much profanity, and references to popular culture.
Notable deaths
1968 — Yuri Gagarin, first human in space, in a plane crash during a training flight. ↗(58 years ago)more
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who, aboard the first successful crewed spaceflight, became the first person to journey into outer space. Travelling on Vostok 1, Gagarin completed one orbit of Earth on 12 April 1961, with his flight taking 108 minutes.
Numerical & calendrical curiosities
| Day-of-year (87) | 3 × 29 · composite (no) |
|---|---|
| Days remaining (279) | 3^2 × 31 |
| Date code DDMMYYYY | 27032026 · no palindrome in next 200 years |
| Sun declination | +2.42° (Cooper approximation) |
| Distance from solstice | 85 days |