This Day In History : May 27

1967 United States

Walt Disney World construction begins at Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida

The construction of Walt Disney World in Florida began on May 27, 1967, marking the start of a massive undertaking that would transform the area into one of the world's most iconic tourist destinations.

Also on This Day in History May 27

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

Births on This Day, May 27
  • 1911 Hubert Humphrey

    American politician who became the 38th Vice President of the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1965 to 1969

  • 1887 Kazimierz Fajans

    Polish-American physical chemist (Fajans' rules)

  • 1907 Rachel Carson

    American marine biologist, conservationist and author (Silent Spring)

  • 1914 Ross Stainton

    British businessman, and a former chief executive of British Airways and BOAC in the 1970s

  • 1931 Philip Kotler

    American economist, educator, and author considered the "Father of Modern Marketing"

Deaths on This Day, May 27
  • 2007 Ed Yost

    American investor who created the hot air balloon

  • 1949 Robert Ripley

    American businessman who founded Ripley's Believe It or Not! He was also a cartoonist and publisher

  • 1910 Robert Koch

    German pioneering bacteriologist (TB, Cholera, Nobel Prize 1905)

  • 1964 Jawaharlal Nehru

    1st Prime Minister of India (1947-64) and important leader of the Indian independence movement

  • 2000 Kazimierz Leski

    Polish engineer, fighter pilot, intelligence and counter-intelligence officer

1933

Three Little Pigs

The cartoon Three Little Pigs, with the hit song, "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" is released by The Walt Disney Company.
1703

The city of Saint Petersburg founded

The city of Saint Petersburg was founded by Tsar Peter the Great
1930

The Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building in New York City opens to the public.
1952

European Defense Community forms

The Treaty establishing the European Defence Community, also known as the Treaty of Paris, was signed on 27 May 1952
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