36 fun facts for April, 27

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
On April 27th, various notable events have taken place, including the premieres of groundbreaking artistic works, significant advancements in technology and science, and historical moments that shaped nations. From the release of Milton's "Paradise Lost" to South Africa's first democratic election, April 27th boasts a rich history of fun and fascinating facts.
36 Fun facts
  1. On April 27, 1667, blind poet John Milton sold the copyright to his masterpiece "Paradise Lost" for just £10 due to financial constraints. Today, this epic poem is still considered one of the greatest works in English literature.
  2. On April 27, 1702, Dutch inventor Dirk van der Burg patented the thermometer. This device revolutionized the way temperature is measured and has significantly contributed to various fields, such as medical science and meteorology.
  3. In 1805, American naval forces destroyed the Tripolitanian pirate ship, Palermo, in the First Barbary War on April 27. The event, known as the "Battle of Derna," marked the first time US Marines fought a foreign power on foreign soil.
  4. On April 27, 1828, London Zoo opened its gates to the public. As the world's oldest scientific zoo, it aims to educate people about conservation and houses a large collection of over 20,000 animals.
  5. In 1870, William V. Caldwell patented an improved catcher's mask to better protect baseball catchers, paving the way for contemporary baseball gear. The patent application was filed on April 27, enabling players to remain safe while engaging in this popular American pastime.
  6. Babe Ruth, the iconic baseball player, is believed to have hit his first home run at the South End Grounds in Boston on April 27, 1915. This event took place during his time with the Boston Red Sox and cemented his place as a baseball legend.
  7. On April 27, 1938, self-proclaimed "King of Jazz," Gerald Marks, recorded one of his most famous songs, "All of Me." This classic composition has been covered by various artists, including Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday.
  8. In 1961, the Republic of Sierra Leone gained independence from Great Britain on April 27. Sierra Leone has since celebrated this day each year, marking their freedom and independence from colonial rule.
  9. On April 27, 1994, South Africa held its first democratic election, marking the end of apartheid, a policy of racial segregation. Nelson Mandela was elected as the leader of the newly-formed country, signifying a new era of unity and progress.
  10. In 2006, construction began on the world's tallest building - the Burj Khalifa - on April 27 in Dubai. This incredible feat of modern architecture stands at 828 meters and is an iconic symbol of wealth and innovation in the United Arab Emirates.
  11. April 27th is King's Day in the Netherlands, celebrated in honor of King Willem-Alexander's birthday. It's a national holiday where people wear orange, participate in outdoor festivities, and hold massive flea markets throughout the country.
  12. On April 27, 1606, King James I awarded England's first Baronetage to Nicholas Leate, a member of the royal court. This event established an important precedence in British peerage and cemented Leate's place in nobility.
  13. On this day in 1895, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrated the first wireless transmission of information by electromagnetic waves. It marked the beginning of crucial research and development in the field of wireless communication.
  14. In 1932, American composer Igor Stravinsky's ballet "Le Sacre du Printemps" (The Rite of Spring) was premiered on April 27th. The ballet, with its complex rhythms and unique choreography, caused a riot at its Parisian debut and changed the course of music history.
  15. In 1946, on April 27th, the S.S. African Star set sail from the Port of Wilmington as the first American merchant ship to travel through the newly reopened Suez Canal after World War II. The event marked a significant milestone in international trade and transportation.
  16. On April 27, 1950, the United States' first Waffle House opened its doors in Avondale Estates, Georgia. The popular southern breakfast and comfort food restaurant chain has since expanded nationwide, numbering over 2,100 locations.
  17. In 1963, on April 27th, the first international satellite telephone conversation took place between the head of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company in New York and the British Postmaster General in London. This event demonstrated the potential of space technology to connect us with each other worldwide.
  18. On April 27, 1972, Apollo 16 astronauts John Young and Charles Duke conducted the first lunar ultraviolet telescope observation. This historic event expanded the study of celestial bodies beyond Earth and paved the way for further lunar exploration.
  19. April 27th marks National Arbor Day in the United States, a day when people are encouraged to plant and care for trees. Since its first observance in 1872, Arbor Day has grown into a global movement to promote tree planting and environmental stewardship.
  20. On April 27, 2006, Google launched Google Maps and Google Earth for the general public. These services revolutionized the way we navigate and explore new places, helping millions of people around the world.
  21. In 2011, April 27 marked the date when Prince William and Kate Middleton were officially granted their titles as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by Queen Elizabeth II. A few days later, the couple would be married in a globally-televised event, drawing international attention.
  22. On April 27, 2015, the Empire State Building in New York City celebrated its 84th anniversary. This iconic skyscraper remains one of the most famous landmarks in the United States and a symbol of American innovation.
  23. In 2012, SpaceX conducted the first-ever commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 27. This marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration, paving the way for private companies to join national agencies in interstellar achievements.
  24. On April 27, 1968, the Broadway musical "Hair" premiered in London, England. The groundbreaking show tackled themes of the militant draft, political activism, and sexual revolution, making it popular in multiple countries during the late 1960s.
  25. April 27th is Freedom Day in South Africa, celebrating the first nonracial elections held in 1994 after the end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela was elected president on this day, and it has been a public holiday since the country's democratization.
  26. In 1983, Yuri Andropov invited 10-year-old American Samantha Smith to visit the Soviet Union after she wrote a letter to him about her concern for world peace. Smith's visit began on April 27 and helped develop informal diplomacy between the Cold War's two superpowers.
  27. On April 27, 1996, Michael Fortier testified against Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols for their involvement in the tragic Oklahoma City bombing. Fortier's testimony was a significant turning point in the case against the infamous domestic terrorists.
  28. On April 27, 1990, the piano-playing female band, Wilson Phillips, released their immensely popular self-titled album. It would go on to become one of the best-selling albums of the decade.
  29. "Late Night with David Letterman" debuted on April 27, 1992, featuring late-night legend David Letterman's entertaining and often offbeat interviews with celebrity guests.
  30. April 27th, 2013 saw the release of the final Nintendo Wii game, "Pandora's Tower." This marked the end of the era for this widely popular gaming console.
  31. On April 27, 2005, the Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial passenger aircraft, completed its maiden flight. Based out of Toulouse, France, this behemoth has two full-length decks and can hold up to 853 passengers.
  32. In 2014, the Vatican canonized Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II on April 27th. The event was attended by an estimated two million people, including approximately 150 cardinals, 700 bishops, and 1,000 priests.
  33. April 27, 1256 marks the founding of the Augustinian monastic order, a Roman Catholic monastic order, by Pope Alexander IV. The order follows the teachings of Saint Augustine and remains active in religious life today.
  34. On April 27, 1777, Nathaniel Plimley, a British officer who worked against American independence, was captured by American revolutionary forces. Plimley was detained until 1783 when he was eventually released in exchange for American prisoners of war.
  35. On April 27, 1907, the world's first rugby league game took place between teams from Leeds and Huddersfield in England. Rugby league is a variation of rugby that has different rules and is generally considered faster-paced.
  36. April 27, 1994 marked the debut of the TV show "Ellen" by comedian Ellen DeGeneres. It was the first sitcom to feature a woman playing an openly gay character, marking a significant milestone in the representation of LGBTQ characters on television.

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