A closer look at key historic events that took place on August 27:

In 2011, Hurricane Irene Hits the US
Hurricane Irene made landfall along the eastern coast of the United States, causing widespread flooding and damage from North Carolina to New England. The hurricane caused significant power outages, displacement, and 7 billion dollars in damage, despite being downgraded from a Category 3 storm.

In 2008, Barack Obama Is Nominated for the Presidency
Barack Obama was officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for the presidency at the Democratic National Convention on August 27. His nomination marked a historic moment, as Obama would go on to become the first African American president of the United States.

In 1964, the Film Mary Poppins Premieres
It quickly became one of Disney’s most iconic films. Starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, the movie received critical acclaim for its innovative use of animation, music, and special effects, and went on to win five Academy Awards.

In 1928, the Kellogg-Briand Pact Is Signed
The Kellogg-Briand Pact, signed on August 27 by France and the US, was an international agreement that aimed to outlaw war as a means of resolving disputes between nations after WWI. Although signed by numerous countries, the pact ultimately failed to prevent future conflicts, such as World War II.

In 1859, the First Oil Is Struck in the US
Edwin Drake successfully drilled the first commercial oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania. This event marked the birth of the modern oil industry and led to a boom in oil production and use, transforming energy consumption in the United States and globally.

In 1776, the British Defeat George Washington in the Battle of Long Island
British forces under General William Howe decisively defeated George Washington’s Continental Army in the Battle of Long Island during the American Revolutionary War. The defeat forced Washington to retreat, but his tactical maneuvers allowed the American army to survive and continue the fight for independence.

In 1576, Titian Dies
The renowned Italian Renaissance painter Titian died, likely from the plague. Titian was one of the most influential artists of his time, known for his masterful use of color and innovative techniques that shaped the course of Western art.