On This Day in History

Explore This Day in History

Learn what happened on this day in history. Browse historical events, famous birthdays and notable deaths for any date, all sourced from Wikipedia.

Today in numbers

51events
243born
116died

What Happened On This Day in History

Find out what happened on this day in history through today's featured event, latest article, famous birthday, notable death, holidays and observances, your birthday in history, and this month in history. Each card opens the complete history page.

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Put Today's Events in Order

Four events that happened on this day, in four different years. Tap them from the oldest to the newest, you have three tries, then share your result. A new puzzle every day.

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Holidays and Observances Today

International days, national holidays and religious feast days that fall on today's date. Each card opens the holiday in the full holidays calendar. See all 15 holidays today.

International day

International Religious Freedom Day (United States)

United States government agency for religious freedom

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International day

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

Annual commemorative day by UNESCO

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National or local holiday

Černová Tragedy Day (Slovakia)

1907 gendarmes shooting of civilians in Hungary

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National or local holiday

Flag Day (Greece)

According to Greek law every Sunday of the year is a public holiday. In addition, there are nine mandatory, official public holidays: New Year's Day 1…

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National or local holiday

Independence Day (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), celebrates the independence of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from United Kingdom in 1979

(2016 dates)January 1: New Year's Day March 14: National Heroes Day, honors Chief Joseph Chatoyer on the anniversary of his death in 1795. Good Friday Easter…

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National or local holiday

National Black Cat Day (United Kingdom)

National or local holiday on October 27.

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National or local holiday

Navy Day (United States) (unofficial, official date is October 13)

Day to celebrate the naval forces in some countries

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Religious feast day

Abbán

Irish saint and abbot

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Religious feast day

Abraham the Poor

Egyptian hermit and saint

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Religious feast day

Gaudiosus of Naples

Bishop of Abitina

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Religious feast day

Kaleb of Axum

King of Aksum from 514 to 542

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Religious feast day

Namatius (Namace)

Roman Catholic saint

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Religious feast day

Oran of Iona

6th-century Irish Christian saint

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Religious feast day

Thraseas

Saint Thraseas was a martyr under the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Prior to his death he served as Bishop of Eumenia, Phrygia, in Asia Minor.

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Religious feast day

October 27 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Day in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar

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What Happened This Month

October in History

See what happened in October in history, from the battles, treaties and discoveries that shaped the world to the famous October birthdays and holidays, with a page for every day of the month.

See October in History

On This Day in History Articles

A new history article is published every day covering one significant event from the past. Each post explores the causes, key figures, immediate impact, and the legacy that still resonates in the world today.

Deadly Smog Begins in Donora
October 27, 2026

Deadly Smog Begins in Donora

A deadly smog event begins in Donora, Pennsylvania, caused by industrial emissions trapped by a temperature inversion, eventually killing 20 people.

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Jordan and Israel sign a peace treaty
October 26, 2026

Jordan and Israel sign a peace treaty

Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in the Arava valley, ending a state of war that had existed since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

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How did Robert Card's spree end in Lisbon, Maine?
October 25, 2026

How did Robert Card's spree end in Lisbon, Maine?

Robert Card killed 18 people and wounded 13 in two Lewiston, Maine locations. Police found him dead in Lisbon 49 hours later.

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New York Stock Exchange records record share volume
October 24, 2026

New York Stock Exchange records record share volume

Black Thursday saw a record 12.9 million shares traded on the NYSE, marking the first day of the 1929 stock market panic.

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How did the 1850 Worcester convention expand women's rights?
October 23, 2026

How did the 1850 Worcester convention expand women's rights?

The first National Women's Rights Convention began in Worcester, Massachusetts, combining male and female leadership to address voting and property rights.

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How did the ACT pass same-sex marriage in 2013?
October 22, 2026

How did the ACT pass same-sex marriage in 2013?

The ACT Legislative Assembly passed the Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013, making the territory the first Australian jurisdiction to legalize…

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In Canada, the 2019 Canadian federal election ends
October 21, 2026

In Canada, the 2019 Canadian federal election ends

The 2019 Canadian federal election concluded on October 21, 2019, leaving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in office heading a Liberal minority government.

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How did Nixon fire Cox after two AGs resigned?
October 20, 2026

How did Nixon fire Cox after two AGs resigned?

Nixon ordered the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox. Attorney General Richardson and Deputy AG Ruckelshaus refused and resigned in protest.

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Our blog

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History in 60 Seconds

Short videos covering one significant historical event each, told through archival imagery and narration. A new video goes up every day alongside the daily article.

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Explore History by Date

Click any date on the calendar to browse historical events, famous birthdays, and notable deaths from that day. Move between months to explore thousands of years of recorded history.

October

On This Day, October 27

  • 2019: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant founder and leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi kills himself and three children by detonating a suicide vest during the U.S. military Barisha raid in northwestern Syria.
  • 2018: A gunman opens fire on a Pittsburgh synagogue killing eleven and injuring six, including four police officers.
  • 2018: Leicester City F.C. owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha dies in a helicopter crash along with four others after a Premier League match against West Ham United at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England.
  • 2017: Catalonia declares independence from Spain.
  • 2014: Britain withdraws from Afghanistan at the end of Operation Herrick, after 12 years four months and seven days.

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