Top 5 Historical Events on February 27
February 27th is a date marked by significant natural disasters, political movements, military actions, historical incidents, and constitutional amendments. Here are key historical events on February 27:
1. Reichstag Fire (1933):
On February 27, 1933, the Reichstag, the parliament building of Nazi Germany, was engulfed in flames and largely destroyed by fire. This event signified a crucial moment in the strengthening of Nazi authority under Adolf Hitler, who had assumed the role of Chancellor of Germany only a month prior, on January 30, 1933. The Nazis acted swiftly after the Reichstag fire, attributing it to Communists, and used the event as a reason to announce a state of emergency, restrict civil liberties, and quash political dissent.
The fire started under suspicious circumstances, and a young Dutch council communist named Marinus van der Lubbe was arrested at the scene. Van der Lubbe was later put on trial and sentenced to death for the fire. His level of participation and whether he acted independently have sparked debates and controversies over the years. Hitler and the Nazis exploited the incident to stoke anti-Communist fears, alleging that the fire marked the start of a Communist rebellion against the German authorities.
Shortly after the fire, President Paul von Hindenburg, influenced by Hitler and his allies, enacted the Reichstag Fire Decree on February 28, 1933. This decree suspended key provisions of the German Constitution, including freedoms of speech, assembly, and the press, as well as the right to privacy in postal and telegraphic communications. It also enabled the arrest and detention without trial of individuals considered opponents of the Nazis.
2. Chile Earthquake and Tsunami (2010):
On February 27, 2010, an earthquake of magnitude 8.8 hit off the coast of the Maule Region in central Chile, impacting areas several hundred kilometers away, including the densely populated city of Concepción, which suffered significant damage. This seismic event is regarded as one of the most powerful ever documented globally and resulted in substantial damage to infrastructure, homes, and communities throughout a wide area of Chile.
The earthquake had a significant impact, causing buildings, roads, and bridges to collapse, resulting in thousands of people becoming homeless and disrupting the lives of millions. Following the earthquake, a tsunami ensued, worsening the disaster by wreaking havoc on coastal towns and causing extensive destruction along the Chilean shoreline. The earthquake and tsunami led to a devastating loss of life, with hundreds of individuals confirmed deceased and numerous others unaccounted for. The catastrophe resulted in a considerable number of people getting injured and being forced to leave their homes, underscoring the area’s susceptibility to earthquakes and the difficulties of responding to and recovering from such severe incidents.
Following the earthquake and tsunami, the Chilean government, international organizations, and volunteers quickly organized a significant disaster response and relief operation. Efforts were concentrated on search and rescue operations, delivering medical care to the injured, and providing essential services and aid to those impacted. The catastrophe sparked a reassessment of Chile’s readiness and response tactics for natural disasters, resulting in enhancements to earthquake and tsunami alert systems, construction regulations, and city planning to lessen the effects of upcoming seismic occurrences.
3. AIM Occupation of Wounded Knee (1973):
February 27, 1973, marked a pivotal moment when the American Indian Movement (AIM) staged a major protest at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. This location holds deep historical significance because of the tragic 1890 massacre of Lakota people by the United States Army. Lasting for 71 days, this occupation was a powerful protest against the treatment of Native Americans by the United States government, shedding light on the ongoing grievances and injustices experienced by indigenous communities nationwide.
The protestors, made up of AIM activists and Oglala Lakota residents, aimed to tackle issues such as the federal government’s failure to meet treaty obligations, mismanagement of Native American lands by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the wider systemic injustices impacting Native American communities. The confrontation garnered extensive media attention, leading to increased public consciousness and initiating a nationwide discussion on Native American rights, sovereignty, and the necessity for reform in U.S. policy towards indigenous peoples.
The incident resulted in violent confrontations between federal agents and Native Americans, leading to the deaths of two individuals and injuries to several others. The siege of Wounded Knee was a significant event in Native American activism, which brought more attention to the AIM and its causes. This led to various legislative and policy changes in response to the movement’s concerns.
4. U.S. Aircraft Carrier Langley Sunk (1942):
On February 27, 1942, the USS Langley (CV-1), the first U.S. aircraft carrier, faced a tragic end during the early days of World War II, which was a pivotal moment in the Pacific War. Commissioned in 1920 as the Navy’s inaugural aircraft carrier, the Langley played a crucial part in shaping naval aviation strategies and procedures. Before its transformation, the Langley functioned as a collier known as the USS Jupiter (AC-3). The conversion into an aircraft carrier represented the U.S. Navy’s progressive stance on naval warfare, highlighting the significance of air power.
During its journey to deliver fighter planes to the Allied forces in Java, one of the islands in the Dutch East Indies, the Langley was sighted by Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. The vessel came under assault from numerous Japanese bombers, causing severe damage. Even though the crew tried their best to rescue the ship, the Langley suffered irreversible damage and could no longer carry out its mission. In order to avoid the ship being captured by the enemy, the Langley was intentionally sunk. The crew received orders to evacuate the ship, which was then deliberately sunk by the accompanying vessels.
5. Twenty-second Amendment Ratified (1951):
On February 27, 1951, the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution was officially ratified. This amendment established a rule that restricted U.S. presidents to serving only two terms in office. This tradition of limiting the number of terms a president can serve has been followed unofficially since George Washington’s presidency. Washington established a tradition by choosing to step down after two terms, which was continued by his successors until Franklin D. Roosevelt won four consecutive elections starting in 1932.
Roosevelt’s time in office during the Great Depression and World War II sparked worries about the accumulation of power and the possibility of an extended presidency. The Twenty-second Amendment was proposed by Congress in 1947 and ratified by the necessary number of states in 1951. The amendment clearly outlines the limit on the number of terms a person can serve as president.
