Today in History for 27th May 2024

[CoM Moderators]

Historical Events

1905 - Japanese fleet destroys the Russian East Sea fleet in the Battle of Tsushima, the only decisive clash between modern steel battleships in history
1918 - Third Battle of Aisne: German offensive overcomes British forces (WWI)
1942 - Dorie Miller awarded navy cross for deeds at Pearl Harbor
1984 - Beth Henley's "Miss Firecracker contest" premieres in NYC
2007 - Indianapolis 500: Scotsman Dario Franchitti declared the winner with 34 laps remaining when race halted by torrential rain
2009 - South Africa enters the global recession; the first recession for South Africa in 17 years

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Famous Birthdays

1887 - Kazimierz Fajans, Polish-American physical chemist (Fajans' rules), born in Warsaw, Poland (d. 1975)
1940 - Ed Van Impe, Canadian NHL hockey defenseman, 1966-77 (Stanley Cup, 1974, 1975 - Philadelphia Flyers, and 2 other teams), and broadcaster (Flyers), born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
1963 - Gonzalo Rubalcabo [González], Cuban jazz pianist, born in Havana, Cuba
1966 - John Jaha, infielder (Milwaukee Brewers), born in Portland, Oregon
1975 - Jamie Oliver, British chef and television personality, born in Claverling, England
1994 - Shawn Barber, Canadian athlete (World C'ship gold pole vault 2019; World Indoor Tour 2016), born in Las Cruces, New Mexico (d. 2024)

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Famous Deaths

1596 - Tibaldi II, Italian painter/sculptor/architect, dies
1675 - Gaspard Dughet, French painter (b. 1613)
1863 - Edward Payson Chapin, American lawyer and Union Army Colonel (posthumously elevated to Brigadier General), dies of injuries from the Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana at 31
1958 - Samuel Stritch, US cardinal/archbishop (Chicago), dies
2007 - Ron Archer, Australian cricket all-rounder (19 Tests, 1 x 100, 48 wickets; Queensland CA), dies at 73
2011 - Jeff Conaway, American actor and singer (Taxi - "Bobby"; Grease - "Kenickie"; Babylon 5 - "Zack"), dies of pneumonia and sepsis at 60

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