On This Day in History, June 27: World’s first ATM installed, Peter the Great wins at Poltava, Atari founded, Djibouti gains independence, first colour TV demo and more

On this Day June 27

June 27 has witnessed major turning points in politics, warfare, science, technology and innovation across centuries. From decisive military victories such as the Battle of Poltava to the first installation of an automated teller machine and the founding of Atari, the date reflects milestones that reshaped nations and industries. It also marks significant developments including the overthrow of Guatemala’s elected government, advances in nuclear power and television technology, and important moments in communication and exploration. Together, these events illustrate how June 27 has repeatedly served as the backdrop for decisions, inventions and conflicts that influenced history around the world.

Also Read:

404: Arsacius installed as Archbishop of Constantinople

Arsacius of Tarsus was installed as Archbishop of Constantinople after John Chrysostom was expelled. The appointment prompted widespread opposition, with many residents refusing to worship under the new leadership and instead gathering outside the city’s walls. The episode reflected deep divisions over church leadership.

1598: Dutch expedition departs for Asia

A Dutch expedition left Rotterdam seeking new spice routes while also attempting to challenge Spanish territories. The voyage ended in disaster, with only one of the five ships returning and just 36 crew members surviving. The expedition highlighted the dangers of long-distance exploration during the period.

1709: Russia wins the Battle of Poltava

Peter the Great led Russian forces to victory over Charles XII of Sweden during the Battle of Poltava in the Great Northern War. Charles fled into exile in the Ottoman Empire following the defeat. The battle marked a major military success for Russia and altered the course of the conflict.

ET logo

Live Events

      1743: Britain wins at the Battle of Dettingen

      King George II personally commanded Allied forces to victory over their opponents during the Battle of Dettingen in Bavaria in the War of the Austrian Succession. The battle became historically significant because it was the last occasion on which a British monarch personally led troops in the field.

      1778: Liberty Bell returns to Philadelphia

      The Liberty Bell returned to Philadelphia after British forces departed the city. Its return marked the restoration of one of the most recognisable symbols associated with the American struggle during the period and reflected changing military circumstances.

      1847: Telegraph links New York and Boston

      New York and were connected by telegraph wires, creating a faster means of communication between two major American cities. The connection represented another important step in the expansion of telegraph technology and long-distance communication.

      1864: Battle of Kennesaw Mountain

      During the Atlanta Campaign of the US Civil War, Union General William T. Sherman launched a frontal assault against Confederate defensive positions at Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia. The attack failed, demonstrating the strength of the Confederate defences during the campaign.

      1871: Japan adopts the yen

      Japan officially adopted the yen as its national monetary unit after suspending the exchange of clan-issued notes that had circulated since the 16th century. The move established the yen as the country’s official currency and marked an important step in Japan’s monetary system based on the information provided.

      1890: George Dixon becomes first Black world champion

      Canadian boxer George Dixon defeated English bantamweight champion Edwin “Nunc” Wallace in London to become the first Black world champion. His victory marked a historic milestone in boxing and represented an important achievement in international sport.

      1894: Annie Londonderry begins world bicycle journey

      Annie Londonderry departed Boston in an attempt to become the first woman to bicycle around the world. She completed the journey in September 1895, making the expedition one of the most notable endurance achievements of its era.

      1898: Joshua Slocum completes solo circumnavigation

      Canadian-American adventurer Joshua Slocum arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, completing the first solo voyage around the world. His successful circumnavigation established a landmark achievement in maritime exploration and solo navigation.

      1923: First aerial refuelling completed

      Captain Lowell H. Smith and Lieutenant John P. Richter successfully carried out the world’s first aerial refuelling using a DH-4B biplane. The accomplishment demonstrated a technique that would later become an essential capability in military and aviation operations.

      1929: First colour television demonstration

      Bell Laboratories conducted the first demonstration of colour television in New York City. The event showcased an important technological breakthrough that contributed to the future development of television broadcasting.

      1929: Germany rejects reparations payment

      German President Paul von Hindenburg refused to pay Germany’s First World War reparation debt. The decision reflected continuing disputes over the financial obligations imposed after the conflict and remained a significant political issue of the period.

      1954: Guatemala government overthrown

      CIA-backed rebels overthrew Guatemala’s democratically elected government, forcing President Jacobo Árbenz to resign. The coup marked a major political turning point for the country and reshaped its leadership.

      1954: First nuclear power station opens

      The world’s first nuclear power station opened in Obninsk near Moscow. The facility represented a major milestone in the development of nuclear energy and demonstrated the practical use of atomic power for electricity generation.

      1958: Record New York to London flight

      Harry Burrell flew a KC-135 aircraft from New York to London in a record time of five hours, 27 minutes and 42.8 seconds. The flight demonstrated advances in aviation performance and long-distance air travel.

      1960: British Somaliland joins Somalia

      British Somaliland officially became part of Somalia. The political union marked an important constitutional change in the region and established a new national framework.

      1960: Chlorophyll A synthesised

      Scientists in Cambridge, Massachusetts successfully synthesised chlorophyll A. The achievement represented an important scientific development in the study of plant chemistry.

      1960: Joseph Kasa-Vubu becomes Congo’s first president

      Joseph Kasa-Vubu was sworn in as the first President of the Republic of the Congo after being elected by the country’s two parliamentary chambers. His inauguration marked the beginning of the nation’s first presidency.

      1967: World’s first ATM installed

      Barclays Bank installed the world’s first automated teller machine in Enfield, London. The innovation transformed banking by allowing customers to withdraw cash through a machine, paving the way for a technology that would become standard worldwide.

      1972: Atari founded

      Atari, Inc. was established in Sunnyvale, California, by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. The company went on to become one of the pioneering names in the video game and home computer industry, helping shape the future of electronic entertainment.

      1973: “Live and Let Die” released

      The eighth James Bond film, “Live and Let Die,” became the first in the franchise to star Roger Moore as James Bond. Also featuring Jane Seymour, the film was first released in the United States, marking a new era for the long-running series.

      1973: John Dean testifies on Nixon’s “enemies list”

      John Dean told the Watergate Committee about President Richard Nixon’s “enemies list.” His testimony became a notable moment in the Watergate investigation and added to the scrutiny surrounding the administration.

      1977: Djibouti gains independence

      Djibouti gained independence from France, marking the end of colonial rule. The event established the country’s sovereignty and represented a significant political milestone in its national history.

      1979: Muhammad Ali confirms retirement

      Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali announced that his third retirement from boxing would be his final one. Although he later returned to the ring, the announcement attracted widespread attention at the time.

      1979: US Supreme Court upholds affirmative action quotas

      The US Supreme Court ruled that employers could use quotas to assist minorities. The decision became a significant legal development concerning workplace equality and employment practices.

      1980: First female state police graduates

      New Jersey celebrated the graduation of its first female state police officers. The milestone marked an important step toward greater representation of women in law enforcement.

      1981: Ali Khamenei survives assassination attempt

      Iranian cleric Ali Khamenei narrowly survived an assassination attempt after a bomb hidden inside a tape recorder exploded on a desk in front of him. The attack was attributed to the Mujaheddin-e Khalq.

      1986: Ireland upholds divorce ban

      Irish voters upheld the country’s ban on divorce in a national referendum. The result maintained the existing constitutional position on divorce at the time.

      1986: US ends defence commitment to New Zealand

      The United States informed New Zealand that it would no longer defend the country against attack because of New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy. The decision reflected tensions over defence and nuclear policy.

      1986: World Court rules against US support for contras

      The World Court ruled that US assistance to the Nicaraguan contras was illegal. The judgment became an important international legal decision concerning foreign intervention.

      1988: Mike Tyson defeats Michael Spinks

      Mike Tyson knocked out Michael Spinks in just 91 seconds in Atlantic City. The victory earned Tyson $67 million and became one of the most memorable heavyweight championship bouts.

      1994: Aerosmith offers free internet download

      Aerosmith became the first major band to allow fans to download a full new track free from the internet. The move marked an early milestone in the changing relationship between music and digital technology.

      1995: Engineer jailed over Howard Stern broadcast disruption

      William Alford, an engineer at rival radio station WMMS, was sentenced to 10 days in jail and fined $1,000 after cutting the feed during Howard Stern’s live broadcast from Cleveland.

      1999: Tony Hawk lands the first 900

      Tony Hawk became the first skateboarder to successfully land a “900,” a two-and-a-half revolution aerial spin, during the X Games in San Francisco. The feat became one of the defining moments in skateboarding history.

      2017: Facebook reaches 2 billion users

      Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook had reached two billion monthly users. The milestone highlighted the platform’s global reach and its growing influence in digital communication.

      2018: Malaysia announces record seizure linked to Najib Razak

      Malaysian police announced the seizure of goods worth $273 million linked to former prime minister Najib Razak. The haul, including 567 handbags and 14 tiaras, was described as the largest seizure of its kind in the country’s history.

      Days celebrated on June 27

      1985: National Ice Cream Cake Day
      National Ice Cream Cake Day celebrates the popular dessert made by combining cake and ice cream. The observance encourages people to enjoy the sweet treat and recognise its place as a favourite dessert for birthdays, summer gatherings and other special occasions.

      2014: National Sunglasses Day
      National Sunglasses Day highlights the importance of wearing sunglasses to help protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays. The day also celebrates sunglasses as a practical accessory that combines eye protection with personal style.

      2010: PTSD Awareness Day
      PTSD Awareness Day aims to raise understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder and encourage support for those living with the condition. The observance promotes awareness, compassion and access to information about mental health.

      2009: UK Armed Forces Day
      UK Armed Forces Day recognises the service and dedication of current and former members of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces. The occasion honours their contribution to the country and acknowledges the support provided by their families and communities.

      1980: Helen Keller Day
      Helen Keller Day commemorates the life and achievements of Helen Keller. The observance recognises her legacy and celebrates her enduring influence as an inspiration to people around the world.

      1995: National HIV Testing Day
      National HIV Testing Day encourages people to get tested for HIV and raises awareness about the importance of early diagnosis. The observance promotes access to testing and supports efforts to improve public health.

      1929: National Bingo Day
      National Bingo Day celebrates the long-standing game enjoyed by people of all ages. The occasion recognises bingo as a popular recreational activity that brings communities together through friendly competition and entertainment.

      2011: International Pineapple Day
      International Pineapple Day celebrates the tropical fruit and its popularity around the world. The observance encourages people to enjoy pineapples in a variety of foods and beverages while recognising the fruit’s place in culinary traditions.

      Add ET Logo as a Reliable and Trusted News Source


      (You can now subscribe to our )

      (You can now subscribe to our )

      Leave a Reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      four + sixteen =