What Happened on March 27?

March 27 is World Theatre Day — celebrating live performance around the globe — on the same date as North America's strongest earthquake, a Mars flyby launch, and scribble-powered kindness for kids.

• 1794 — Congress establishes the United States Navy

  President Washington signed an act building six frigates, creating the permanent U.S. Navy to protect American ships from pirates. Read the full story →

• 1845 — Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen is born in Germany

  Future Nobel-winning physicist Wilhelm Roentgen was born on March 27, 1845 — the scientist who would discover X-rays and let doctors see bones without surgery. Read the full story →

• 1962 — First World Theatre Day is celebrated in Paris

  The International Theatre Institute launched World Theatre Day on March 27, 1962, during the 'Theatre of Nations' festival — now marked in more than 90 countries every year. Read the full story →

• 1964 — Great Alaska Earthquake, the most powerful in U.S. history

  A magnitude 9.2 earthquake shook southern Alaska, triggering tsunami waves that reached as far as California and Hawaii. Read the full story →

• 1969 — NASA launches Mariner 7 toward Mars

  Mariner 7 blasted off to photograph Mars up close, flying past the planet five months later alongside its twin Mariner 6. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (1845–1923) · Quentin Tarantino (1963) · Gloria Swanson (1899–1983)

Days & observances

World Theatre Day · National Scribble Day · National Spanish Paella Day · National Joe Day