May 27 is Memorial Day in 2024.
1958 – Memorial Day: the remains of two unidentified American servicemen, killed in action during World War II and the Korean War respectively, are buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
Sun Screen Day
National Grape Popsicle Day
1703 – Tsar Peter the Great founded the city of Saint Petersburg. In 1914 the name was changed to Petrograd; in 1924 to Leningrad; and in 1991 back to Saint Petersburg.
Birthday of Julia Ward Howe (May 27, 1819), American author of the lyrics of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic“.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
27-Birthday of Isadora Duncan (May 27, 1878), American dancer.
27 Birthday of Amelia Jenks Bloomer (May 27, 1818), social reformer who fought for temperance and women’s rights but is remembered for her advocacy of “sensible” dress which she demonstrated by the wearing of full trousers that came to be known as “bloomers”.
Birthday of Rachel Louise Carson (May 27, 1907), American biologist whose book “Silent Spring” published in 1962 aroused worldwide concern for the dangers of environmental pollution.
In 1907, Bubonic plague broke out in San Francisco, California. It was imported from a ship traveling from Hong Kong in 1899 and began in the Chinatown area of the city. It was thought to have been brought under control until the earthquake of 1906 brought about a second epidemic throughout the city. The plague was finally stopped when the city collected and killed its rat and ground squirrel populations.
May 27, 1927 – The Ford Motor Company ceases manufacture of the Ford Model T and begins to retool plants to make the Ford Model A.
The 1,046 feet (319 m) Chrysler Building in New York City, the tallest man-made structure at the time, opens to the public on May 27, 1930.
In 1933, the Walt Disney Company released the cartoon Three Little Pigs, with its hit song Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?”
On May 27, 1937 the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco opens to people crossing it on foot, opening to vehicle traffic the next day.
Montreal Expos – Major League Baseball’s National League awards Montreal the first franchise in Canada and the first franchise outside the United States on May 27, 1968. After the 2004 season, Major League Baseball moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals. In 1994, a players’ strike wiped out the last eight weeks of the season and all post-season. Montreal was in first place by six games in the National League East division when play was stopped. No official titles were awarded in 1994.