Throwback Thursday 4/27!

Here's what happened on April 27th!

  • 1521: Explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed on the island of Mactan in the Philipines during a tribal skirmish just one month after reaching the Philippines. His journey had begun 3 years earlier as a mission to find the Spice Islands. It was not until November after his death that his remaining crew would reach the intended destination of the Spice Islands.
    (Shapers of Society)
  • 1791: American inventor Samuel Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Morse is the inventor of Morse code and the first practical electric telegraph. It was on May 24, 1844 that Morse sent the message “What hath God wrought,” in Morse code in a telegraphic message. Check out the entire Morse code alphabet here!
    (Biography for Beginners)
  • 1822: The 18th president of the United States Ulysses S. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio. Grant was elected as president in 1868 after making his mark as a Civil War hero.
    (Biography for Beginners, World Biography,  American History, Defining Moments)
  • 1896: American chemist and inventor Wallace Carothers was born in Burlington, Iowa. Carothers is considered one of the most important chemists of his time. He was the inventor of neoprene, synthetic rubber, and nylon (the first synthetic fiber).
    (Biography for Beginners, World Biography, American History)
  • 1898: Austrian-American author and illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans was born in Meran, Austria. In 1939 he published the book that made him one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time, Madeline. The story and illustrations of Madeline won the love of young and old readers alike. 
    (Biography for Beginners)
  • 1927: Coretta Scott King was born in Marion, Alabama. Coretta married Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in 1953. She played an active role in the civil rights movement with her husband. She organized demonstrations and staged “freedom concerts.” Following her husband’s assassination (1968), she continued much of his work.
    (Biography for Beginners, World Biography, American History)
  • 1947: American author Barbara Park was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey. She is the author of the popular children’s book series Junie B. Jones. The series follows a kindergartner who is facing problems many children face, making her very popular with kids everywhere. 
    (Biography for Beginners)
  • 1952: Professional basketball player George Gervin was born in Detroit, Michigan. “The Iceman,” as he was known throughout his career, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996 and was later named to the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players list.
    (Sports Champions)
  • 1994: A funeral service was held for President Richard Nixon in Yorba Linda, California. One of the speakers at the service was Republican Senator Bob Dole. You can read excerpts from Dole’s comments here.
    (Defining Moments)
  • 1994: South Africa held their first multiracial democratic elections with universal adult suffrage. Nelson Mandel was elected the first black president of South Africa. Mandela joked about his path to the presidency, saying, “In my country we go to prison first and then become president.” This refers to his 27 years imprisonment for his fight against apartheid.
    (Shapers of Society)
  • 2015: Loretta Lynch was sworn in as the 83rd attorney general of the United States. She is the first African-American woman to serve in this position. She once said “I believe in the promise of America because I have lived the promise of America.”
    (Biography for Beginners)