February 27 in History
February 27 is the birthday of Johnny Davis (basketball, born 2002) (2002) and the anniversary of the death of Boris Spassky (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for February 27, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Constantine the Great, Roman emperor was born in 272, while Pepin of Landen, Frankish lord died in 640.
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Famous people born on February 27
Famous people who died on February 27
2015
Boris Nemtsov (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Russian scientist, statesman, and politician (1959–2015)
2014
Aaron Allston (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American science fiction writer and game designer (1960–2014)
2013
Ramon Dekkers (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Dutch professional Dutch Kickboxer fighter and kickboxer
2012
Helga Vlahović (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Croatian journalist, producer and television personality
2011
Frank Buckles (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American World War I veteran and supercentenarian (1901–2011)
2008
William F. Buckley Jr. (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American conservative author and commentator (1925–2008)
What happened on February 27
- 2019
Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder downs Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman's Mig-21 in an aerial dogfight and captures him after conducting airstrikes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2015
Russian politician Boris Nemtsov is assassinated in Moscow while out walking with his girlfriend.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2013
A shooting takes place at a factory in Menznau, Switzerland, in which five people (including the perpetrator) are killed and five others injured.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2010
An earthquake measuring 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale strikes central parts of Chile leaving over 500 victims, and thousands injured. The quake triggers a tsunami which strikes Hawaii shortly after.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari escapes from a detention center in Singapore, hiding in Johor, Malaysia until he was recaptured over a year later.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2007
Chinese stock bubble of 2007: The Shanghai Stock Exchange falls 9%, the largest daily fall in ten years, following speculation about a crackdown on illegal share offerings and trading, and fears about accelerating inflation.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
A bombing of a SuperFerry by Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines' worst terrorist attack kills more than 100 passengers.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
Shoko Asahara, the leader of the Japanese doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo, is sentenced to death for masterminding the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
Ryanair Flight 296 catches fire at London Stansted Airport causing minor injuries.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
Godhra train burning: A Muslim mob torches a train returning from Ayodhya, killing 59 Hindu pilgrims.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
Loganair Flight 670A crashes while attempting to make a water landing in the Firth of Forth in Scotland.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
Gulf War: U.S. President George H. W. Bush announces that "Kuwait is liberated".
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1988
Sumgait pogrom: The Armenian community in Sumgait, Azerbaijan is targeted in a violent pogrom.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1976
The former Spanish territory of Western Sahara, under the auspices of the Polisario Front declares independence as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1973
The American Indian Movement occupies Wounded Knee in protest of the federal government.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on February 27
- 272 — Constantine the Great, Roman emperor (died 337)
- 1343 — Alberto d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara (died 1393)
- 1427 — Ruprecht, Archbishop of Cologne (died 1480)
Died on February 27
- 640 — Pepin of Landen, Frankish lord (born 580)
- 906 — Conrad the Elder, Frankish nobleman
- 956 — Theophylact, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (born 917)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for February 27
Quick answers
Who was born on February 27? Johnny Davis (basketball, born 2002) (2002), Todd Cantwell (1998), Chris Godwin (1996).
Who died on February 27? Boris Spassky (2025), Gérard Latortue (2023), Ng Man-tat (2021).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in February? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the February 27 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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