February 27 in History: Famous Births, Events, and Deaths

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February 27th is a date etched in history by pivotal events and the birth of renowned figures. It marks a day of liberation, as the Dominican Republic declared independence from Haiti in 1844. In a darker turn, the 1933 Reichstag Fire in Berlin became a catalyst for the Nazi consolidation of power. The date also saw the end of a major conflict, with the ceasefire of the Gulf War in 1991. Adding to its legacy, February 27th is the birthday of literary giant John Steinbeck (1902), whose works chronicled the American spirit, and the trailblazing opera singer Marian Anderson (1897), who broke racial barriers with her profound talent. From political upheavals to artistic genius, this day is a mosaic of profound human achievement and turning points.

Famous People Born on February 27

  • 1902 - John Steinbeck Nobel Prize-winning American author of "The Grapes of Wrath"
  • 1932 - Elizabeth Taylor Legendary actress known for "Cleopatra" and her violet eyes
  • 1930 - Joanne Woodward Academy Award-winning actress and philanthropist
  • 1934 - Ralph Nader American consumer advocate and political activist
  • 1981 - Josh Groban American singer with classical and pop crossover success
  • 1980 - Chelsea Clinton American writer and global health advocate
  • 1897 - Marian Anderson Groundbreaking contralto who broke racial barriers
  • 1807 - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Influential American poet and educator
  • 1596 - Constantijn Huygens Dutch poet, composer and Golden Age diplomat
  • 1986 - Dexter Fowler Professional baseball outfielder and World Series champion
  • Historical Events on February 27

  • 380: Edict of Thessalonica makes Nicene Christianity the Roman state religion
  • 1844: Dominican Republic gains independence from Haiti
  • 1860: Abraham Lincoln delivers his influential Cooper Union speech
  • 1933: Reichstag Fire in Berlin, used by Nazis to consolidate power
  • 1940: Discovery of Carbon-14 isotope at UC Berkeley
  • 1951: 22nd Amendment ratified, limiting US presidents to two terms
  • 1991: Operation Desert Storm ends with liberation of Kuwait
  • 2010: Massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake strikes central Chile
  • 2015: Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov assassinated near Kremlin
  • Famous People Who Died on February 27

  • 2023 - Walter Mirisch American film producer known for West Side Story and In the Heat of the Night
  • 2015 - Boris Nemtsov Russian physicist and opposition politician assassinated near Kremlin
  • 2011 - Frank Buckles Last surviving American veteran of World War I
  • 2006 - Otis Chandler Former publisher of Los Angeles Times who transformed the newspaper
  • 2003 - John Lanchbery British composer and conductor known for ballet scores
  • 1989 - Konrad Lorenz Austrian zoologist and Nobel Prize winner in Physiology/Medicine
  • 1978 - Vadim Salmanov Russian Soviet composer known for his symphonies and chamber music
  • 1936 - Ivan Pavlov Russian physiologist famous for his work on classical conditioning
  • 1922 - Henry Lawson Australian writer and bush poet, iconic figure in Australian literature
  • 1887 - Alexander Borodin Russian composer and chemist, member of The Five composers
  • 1844 - Nicholas Biddle American financier and president of the Second Bank of the United States
  • 1823 - Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson French painter and prominent Neoclassical artist
  • February 27th stands as a profound testament to the complex tapestry of human history, marked by both creative brilliance and pivotal turning points. It is a date that has witnessed the birth of iconic artists and thinkers who have shaped our cultural landscape, from the poignant social narratives of John Steinbeck to the transcendent voice of Marian Anderson. Simultaneously, the day has been a stage for events that have dramatically altered political landscapes, such as the Dominican Republic's hard-won independence and the ominous Reichstag fire that accelerated the rise of totalitarianism in Europe.

    Ultimately, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring human spirit across centuries. It connects the intellectual legacy of a Renaissance man like Constantijn Huygens with the modern advocacy of figures like Ralph Nader. From the birth of legends to the passing of great minds like Ivan Pavlov, February 27th encapsulates a full cycle of human endeavor—our relentless pursuit of freedom, truth, beauty, and power, making it a microcosm of history itself.