What Happened On This Day – February 27
2010 A massive earthquake strikes Chile
The tremor measured 8.8 on the Richter scale and left more than 500 people dead and thousands injured.
2002 A Muslim mob set fire to a train carrying Hindu pilgrims
The attack killed 59 people, including many women and children.
1943 Non-violent protests in Berlin prevent the deportation of 2000 jews
The “Rosenstrasse protest” was carried out by the “Aryan” wives and relatives of detained Jewish men.
1933 Germany's parliament building is set on fire
The Nazis used the Reichstag fire to justify harsh repression against political opponents. The event is considered pivotal in the establishment of Nazi Germany.
1932 The neutron is discovered
English physicist James Chadwick was later awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery.
Births On This Day – February 27
1994 Hou Yifan
Chinese chess player
1934 Ralph Nader
American lawyer, author, activist
1932 Elizabeth Taylor
English/American actress
1902 John Steinbeck
American author, Nobel Prize laureate
1807 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
American poet
Deaths On This Day – February 27
2011 Frank Buckles
American soldier
2008 William F. Buckley, Jr.
American publisher, author, founded the National Review
2002 Spike Milligan
Indian/Irish actor, singer, screenwriter, author
1989 Konrad Lorenz
Austrian zoologist, Nobel Prize laureate
1936 Ivan Pavlov
Russian physiologist, Nobel Prize laureate