On This Day in History: January 27

Trajan becomes Roman emperor on January 27, 98, following the death of Nerva, who, facing military unpopularity, had adopted Trajan the year before to ensure a stable, transition. Trajan became the first emperor born outside Italy, ushering in an era of massive territorial expansion.

Andrew III of Hungary dies, leading to succession disputes and internal conflicts in Hungary.

Dante Alighieri is accused of corruption in political office, like others from the White Guelphs political party. who supported independence for the city-state and were not aligned with the Pope.  Expand +

King Charles V of France creates the first franc coin, a new currency for France.

The Second Peace of Thorn is signed, ending the Thirteen Years' War between the Teutonic Order and Poland.

Spain annexes Cuba.

The first recorded sighting of Maryland is made by English settlers.

The first state constitution of Georgia is adopted.

 The National Geographic Society is founded at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. on January 27, 1888, by 33 explorers and scientists "For the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge". The National Geographic magazine began publication in October 1888, nine months later, using photographs to illustrate stories.

The first US raid was conducted on Germany proper on January 27, 1943 as 91 US bombers were sent on a day light raid on the submarine bases at Wilhelmshaven. 53 bombers successfully bombed the target and 3 were lost. The US daylight bombing of Germany continued as the British continue their night bombing raids. More

The 900 day siege of Leningrad is broken on January 27, 1944, when the Soviet Leningrad–Novgorod Offensive expels the German forces from the southern outskirts of the city. Expand +

The Soviet troops liberate the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, Poland on January 27, 1945. The advancing Soviet forces discovered about 7,000 prisoners, most of whom were ill and dying, who had been left behind by the Nazi SS.

The Nevada Test Site (NTS), 65 miles north of Las Vegas, detonates the first of several nuclear bombs, Shot Able, a 1-kiloton bomb, on January 27, 1951. Between 1951 and 1992, the U.S. government conducted a total of 928 nuclear tests here. Out of these tests 100 were atmospheric, and 828 were underground. More

The United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union sign the Outer Space Treaty on January 27, 1967, banning the militarization of space by prohibiting placing nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in orbit or on celestial bodies, and dedicating outer space and celestial bodies to peaceful use.

The Apollo I Tragedy; a fire swept through the Apollo 1 Command Module during a launch rehearsal test on January 27, 1967, tragically killing astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. A long investigation concluded that a faulty electrical wire inside the Apollo 1 command module was the probable cause of the fire. More

The Song "Instant Karma" was written by John Lennon on January 27, 1970. As he told the story later... “I wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch and we’re putting it out for dinner.” The evening session included George Harrison, Klaus Voormann, Billy Preston and Alan White.  Expand +

The Vietnam War Paris Peace Accords are signed on January 27, 1973, effectively ending direct U.S. involvement in the war. More