This Day In History : February 27

1951 United States

The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution ratified

On February 27, 1951, the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified. This amendment limits U.S. Presidents to two terms in office. It was proposed in response to Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency and aims to prevent extended presidential tenures.

Also on This Day in History February 27

Discover what happened on February 27 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, February 27
  • 1947 Alan Guth

    Alan Harvey Guth is an American theoretical physicist and cosmologist, who pioneered of the Inflationary Model of the expanding Universe.

  • 1891 David Sarnoff

    American inventor who was a pioneer in the development of both radio and television broadcasting.

  • 1881 L.E J. Brouwer

    Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer was a Dutch mathematician who founded mathematical Intuitionism.

  • 1753 James Sadler

    British balloonist and chemist who was the first English aeronaut, whose first successful ascent was on 4 Oct 1784, in a hot-air balloon, from Christ Church Meadow, Oxford.

  • 1897 Bernard Lyot

    Bernard(-Ferdinand) Lyot was a French astronomer who invented the coronagraph (1930), an instrument which allows the observation of the solar corona when the Sun is not in eclipse.

Deaths on This Day, February 27
  • 1963 David Keilin

    Russian-British biochemist who discovered cytochromes, as enzymes critical to the cell's use of oxygen (1923).

  • 1906 Samuel Pierpont Langley

    American astronomer, physicist and aeronaut who built the first heavier-than-air flying machine to achieve sustained flight.

  • 1867 James Dunwoody Brownson De Bow

    American statistician and editor, who is regarded as a pioneer of economic statistics for the U.S. Census Office.

  • 1936 Ivan Petrovich Pavlov

    Russian physiologist, who was awarded the 1904 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

  • 1794 Jean Perronet

    Jean-Rodolphe Perronet was a French civil engineer who was renowned for his stone-arch bridges, especially the Pont de la Concorde, Paris.

1900

The British Labour Party Founded

On February 27, 1900, the British Labour Party is established in London. Formed to represent the interests of the working class, it quickly grows into one of the United Kingdom's major political parties. Its foundation marks a significant step in the country's political landscape.
2010

Massive Earthquake Strikes Chile 2010

On February 27, 2010, a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hits Chile, causing widespread destruction and a significant loss of life. The quake triggers a tsunami, affecting coastal areas and prompting a swift international response. Recovery efforts continue for months as the country rebuilds.
1940

Martin Kamen Co-Discovers Carbon-14 Synthesis

On February 27, 1940, Martin Kamen co-discovers the synthesis of the isotope carbon-14. This discovery becomes crucial for radiocarbon dating, revolutionizing fields such as archaeology, geology, and paleontology. Carbon-14 allows scientists to date ancient organic materials accurately, providing insights into historical and prehistorical events.
1942

J.S. Hey Discovers Radio Emissions from the Sun

On February 27, 1942, J.S. Hey discovers radio emissions from the Sun, revealing a new method to study solar activity. This breakthrough contributes significantly to the field of radio astronomy, enhancing our understanding of solar phenomena. It also aids in predicting space weather, which affects satellite communications and power grids.
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