Name: Marshal Bazaine surrenders at Siege of Metz with 140,000 troops
Start: 1870-10-27
Location: Metz, France

Holidays on October 27, 2026:

National Potato Day

National Potato Day, October 27, 2026: Discover the versatility and nutritional value of the humble potato through favorite dishes and treats. more >>

Navy Day

Navy Day (10/27/2026) honors naval forces' bravery, sacrifices, and contributions to national security, with parades, ship exhibitions, and ceremonies recognizing their excellence. more >>

National Civics Day

National Civics Day, October 27, 2026: Join the movement to deepen understanding of democracy, encourage community involvement, and empower citizens to make a positive impact. more >>

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, October 27, 2026: Preserve and promote cultural heritage through films, videos, and sound recordings, and learn from the past. more >>

Getting stuck with a coworker who's having a bad day can be a real challenge. Imagine a day where everyone's grumpiness is celebrated! It's all about acknowledging that we've all had those mornings where the coffee just wasn't strong enough. So, take... more >>

Boxer Shorts Day

Discover the truth behind Boxer Shorts Day on October 27th, 2026. Is it a real holiday or just a myth? more >>

National Black Cat Day (UK)

National Black Cat Day (UK) - 10/27/2026. Learn about the majestic black cats, often overlooked in shelters, and discover how you can give them a loving home. more >>

National Mentoring Day (UK)

National Mentoring Day (UK) - 10/27/2026. Recognize the life-changing impact of mentors on young people and discover how you can make a difference. more >>

Birthdays on October 27:

John Cleese

86 Years Old

A comedic genius behind iconic works like Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, known for his witty humor and towering presence on screen.

Theodore Roosevelt

Died in 1919, aged 60

A pioneering leader who championed progressive reforms, trust-busting, and conservation, earning a Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Russo-Japanese War. He's also famous for his ...

Ivan Reitman

Died in 2022, aged 75

A Slovak-Canadian actor, director, and producer behind iconic comedies like Ghostbusters and Twins, shaping the 80s and 90s Hollywood landscape.

Kelly Osbourne

41 Years Old

A television personality and actress, known for her outspoken and flamboyant persona on reality TV shows, particularly "The Osbournes" and "Fashion Police".

Lee Greenwood

83 Years Old

Patriotic country music icon behind the iconic anthem "God Bless the USA," a staple of American pride and nationalism.

Roberto Benigni

73 Years Old

Academy Award-winning creator of poignant comedies that often tackle complex social issues, known for his iconic, energetic performances and heartfelt storytelling.

Roy Lichtenstein

Died in 1997, aged 73

A pioneer of Pop Art, creating comic-book inspired paintings and sculptures that comment on consumer culture and the banality of everyday life.

Sylvia Plath

Died in 1963, aged 30

A confessional and emotionally intense writer who explored themes of mental illness, mortality, and femininity in her work, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary literature.

Francis Fukuyama

73 Years Old

A renowned expert on international relations and democracy, known for his provocative "end of history" theory, which posits that liberal democracy is the final form of human govern...

Simon Le Bon

67 Years Old

Lead vocalist and co-founder of the iconic 80s new wave band Duran Duran, known for catchy synth-pop hits like "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Rio".

Scott Weiland

Died in 2015, aged 48

Lead vocalist of Stone Temple Pilots, known for his distinctive voice and hit songs like "Plush" and "Vasoline".

Fran Lebowitz

75 Years Old

Witty social commentator and author, known for humorous essays and sharp observations on modern life, offering a unique perspective on American culture.

Events from History on October 27:

64 years ago

Vasily Arkhipov's bravery prevents nuclear war (Caribbean Sea, near Cuba) 1962

In the depths of the Cold War, a tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union brought the world to the brink of nuclear catastrophe. Vasily Arkhipov, a Soviet submarine commander, found himself at the center of the crisis when his vessel, the B-59, was depth-charged by the US Navy. With his ship crippled and communication lost, Arkhipov's second-in-command, Valentin Savitsky, urged him to launch a nuclear-armed torpedo at the USS Randolf, a nearby American aircraft carrier. But Arkhipov, fueled by his experiences in World War II and a deep understanding of the devastating consequences of nuclear war, refused to give the order, choosing instead to surface and await further instructions. This courageous decision defused the situation, preventing a global nuclear conflict and etching Arkhipov's name in the annals of history as the man who saved humanity from the abyss.

7 years ago

Islamic State leader al-Baghdadi dies in US raid (Barisha, Idlib Governorate, Syria) 2019

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the elusive founder of the Islamic State, met his fiery end in a daring US military raid in northwestern Syria. Cornered by American special forces in a tunnel, the terrorist mastermind detonated a suicide vest, killing himself and three children alongside him. The nighttime operation, code-named "Kayla Mueller" after an American hostage killed by ISIS, was a culmination of meticulous intelligence gathering and precise execution. Al-Baghdadi's demise marked a significant blow to the crumbling Islamic State, a terrorist organization responsible for unspeakable atrocities across the Middle East.

90 years ago

Mrs. Wallis Simpson's divorce paves way for royal abdication (Vaughn, Virginia, USA) 1936

Wallis Simpson, the American socialite, finally obtained her divorce from her second husband, Ernest Simpson, on this day, unlocking the door to her marriage with King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom. Their whirlwind romance had captured the nation's attention, but it came at a steep price â Edward's throne. The king's determination to marry the twice-divorced Wallis sparked a constitutional crisis, as the British government and the Church of England refused to approve the union. With his heart belonging to Wallis, Edward chose love over duty, announcing his abdication just a month later, and his brother, George VI, took the reins.

64 years ago

Major Anderson's U-2 shot down over Cuba (Cuba) 1962

Major Rudolf Anderson's Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance plane soared over Cuba, capturing crucial intel on Soviet missile sites. But on this fateful day, his aircraft was blasted out of the sky by a Soviet-supplied surface-to-air missile, making him the only direct human casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis. As the crisis reached its boiling point, Anderson's sacrifice would become a pivotal moment in shaping the course of history.

251 years ago

King George III declares American colonies in rebellion (London, England, SW1A 0AA, UK) 1775

King George III, determined to quell the growing unrest in the American colonies, took a bold stance in his speech from the throne at the opening of Parliament, explicitly declaring the Thirteen Colonies to be in a state of rebellion. With his Proclamation of Rebellion, George III refused to acknowledge the colonies' grievances, instead labeling their actions as treasonous and seditious. This pivotal moment marked a point of no return, solidifying the divide between the British monarchy and the American colonies, paving the way for the American Revolution.

156 years ago

Marshal Bazaine surrenders at Siege of Metz with 140,000 troops (Metz, France) 1870

In the aftermath of the crushing Battle of Sedan, French Marshal Francois Achille Bazaine found himself trapped in the fortress city of Metz with a whopping 140,000 soldiers. Despite his valiant efforts to hold out, Prussian forces led by General Helmuth von Moltke had him right where they wanted him - surrounded and starving. With supplies dwindling and hopes of rescue fading, Bazaine reluctantly raised the white flag, ceding control to the Prussians and marking a decisive victory in the Franco-Prussian War.

Notable Deaths on October 27:

2013Lou Reed Legendary musician and artist who revolutionized the music industry.

2006Joe Niekro MLB player and son of baseball legend

2003Rod Roddy Iconic game show host with a charismatic voice

2019Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Extremist leader infamous for his brutal rule over ISIS

1975Rex Stout American literary sleuth

2009John David Carson Versatile American actor with a wide range of film credits.

1988Charles Hawtrey Comedic character with a flair for music and acting, entertaining audiences in various roles

1977James M. Cain American journalistic wordsmith

2012Terry Callier Guitar-wielding American singer-songwriter with a soulful tone.

1992David Bohm Visionary thinker, merging science and philosophy to explore the human condition

1990Ugo Tognazzi Versatile Italian actor, director, and screenwriter, bringing complex characters to life

1980John Hasbrouck Van Vleck American mathematical and theoretical physics giant

2011James Hillman Innovative American psychologist who studied the human psyche.

2018Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Football patriarch and philanthropist who transformed Leicester City F.C.

2015Philip French English journalist, critic, and producer who covered the arts.

2008Chris Bryant British actor and screenwriter creating unforgettable characters

1990Jacques Demy Talented French creator, balancing his passion for acting, singing, directing, and writing

1968Lise Meitner Austrian-English scientific trailblazer

2005Jerry Cooke Bilingual photographer and journalist capturing life's stories

1605Akbar A Mughal emperor who expanded the empire and promoted art and architecture

American Beer Day