Major Events of April 1927: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from April 1927 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of April 1927: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Apr 1927 U.S. Bureau of Prohibition Established: The U.S. Bureau of Prohibition was officially founded under the Department of the Treasury, marking a significant step in the enforcement of the nationwide alcohol prohibition during the Prohibition era.
- 02 Apr 1927 Lack of Documented Historical Events: On April 2, 1927, no significant historical events have been recorded in the available historical archives. This absence of documented events suggests a relatively quiet day in global history.
- 03 Apr 1927 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Launches Bahiskrit Bharat: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, a prominent social reformer and champion of Dalit rights, founded the weekly newspaper Bahiskrit Bharat. This publication was a significant platform for advocating social equality and challenging the caste system in India.
- 04 Apr 1927 First Regularly Scheduled Airline Service in America: Colonial Air Transport inaugurated the first regularly scheduled airline service in the United States. The inaugural flight departed Boston at 6:15 pm and landed near New York City at Hadley Field, New Jersey, at 9:00 pm. The first ticket was sold to Mrs. Gardiner Fiske for 25 dollars, marking a significant milestone in American aviation history.
- 05 Apr 1927 British Trade Disputes and Trade Union Act Restricts Labor Actions: The British government passed the Trade Disputes and Trade Union Act of 1927, which significantly curtailed workers' rights by prohibiting sympathy strikes and limiting trade union collective action, marking a pivotal moment in British labor relations.
- 06 Apr 1927 Briand's Proposal to Outlaw War: On the tenth anniversary of the United States' entry into World War I, French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand proposed a groundbreaking international treaty aimed at permanently outlawing war as a means of resolving international disputes. This visionary diplomatic initiative represented an early attempt to establish a framework for peaceful conflict resolution and prevent future global conflicts through multilateral agreements.
- 07 Apr 1927 Shanghai Massacre: Kuomintang (Nationalist) troops launched a violent crackdown on communist-supporting workers in Shanghai, an event known as the April 12 Incident or Shanghai Massacre. This brutal suppression effectively ended the First United Front between the Nationalists and Communists, marking the beginning of a prolonged and bloody Chinese Civil War that would continue until 1949.
- 08 Apr 1927 No Significant Historical Record: After thorough review, no substantive historical events were found for April 8, 1927. This could indicate a relatively quiet day in global history or gaps in available historical documentation.
- 09 Apr 1927 Sacco and Vanzetti Death Sentence: Italian-American anarchists Ferdinando Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were sentenced to death by Judge Webster Thayer in a highly controversial murder trial that became a symbol of potential judicial discrimination against immigrants and political radicals in the United States.
- 10 Apr 1927 Kellogg-Briand Pact Proposal: On the tenth anniversary of America's entry into World War I, French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand proposed an international treaty aimed at 'outlawing war'. This significant diplomatic initiative would later become the Kellogg-Briand Pact, a landmark attempt to prevent future global conflicts through legal means.
- 11 Apr 1927 United Kingdom Officially Renamed: The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 took effect at midnight, officially changing the nation's name from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This legal modification reflected the political changes following the Irish independence movement.
- 12 Apr 1927 Shanghai Massacre of 1927: The Shanghai Massacre, also known as the April 12 Purge, was a violent suppression of Chinese Communists in Shanghai by the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek. The event resulted in thousands of deaths and systematic elimination of Communist Party members, significantly disrupting the Communist Party's infrastructure and ability to operate openly.
- 13 Apr 1927 NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Ottawa Senators Triumph Over Boston Bruins: In a decisive series, the Ottawa Senators clinched the Stanley Cup championship by defeating the Boston Bruins. The series was characterized by two games and two tied matches, ultimately resulting in a 3-1 victory for the Senators, showcasing their dominance in early professional ice hockey.
- 14 Apr 1927 Volvo Launches First Production Car - The Jakob: In Göteborg, Sweden, Volvo produces its first production line car, the Jakob. This pioneering vehicle features a 28-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and was priced at 4,800 kronor. Approximately 200 units were manufactured. The company name 'Volvo' was strategically chosen because it means 'I roll' in Latin, symbolizing the company's automotive ambitions.
- 15 Apr 1927 Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 Begins: The most destructive river flood in United States history commenced, causing unprecedented damage across multiple states and dramatically impacting agricultural and urban landscapes in the Mississippi River Valley.
- 16 Apr 1927 Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927: A catastrophic flood event occurred along the Mississippi River, beginning with a critical levee break at Dorena, Missouri. The disaster rapidly escalated, ultimately submerging 27,000 square miles across seven states. The flood's devastating impact included the destruction of 130,000 homes and resulted in a significant loss of life, with confirmed deaths at 246 and potential fatalities estimated over 1,000. This event was one of the most destructive natural disasters in early 20th-century United States history.
- 17 Apr 1927 Proposal for International Peace Treaty: On April 17, 1927, French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand proposed an ambitious international treaty aimed at outlawing war. This groundbreaking diplomatic initiative would eventually evolve into the Kellogg–Briand Pact, a landmark international agreement signed in 1928 that sought to prevent future global conflicts through legal means.
- 18 Apr 1927 Chiang Kai-shek Consolidates Political Power: Chiang Kai-shek declared himself Chairman of the National Government Committee and President of China, establishing a new capital in Nanjing while the previous government remained operational in Beijing. This event signaled a major shift in Chinese political leadership and national governance.
- 19 Apr 1927 DUPE: Mae West Sentenced for Obscenity: Mae West was sentenced to ten days in jail for her controversial Broadway play 'Sex', which was deemed obscene and inappropriate for the time. This event significantly boosted her national profile and marked a pivotal moment in her early career.
- 20 Apr 1927 Tanaka Giichi Becomes Prime Minister of Japan: General Tanaka Giichi of the Rikken Seiyūkai Party assumed the role of Prime Minister of Japan. His leadership would be characterized by expansionist policies and increasing military influence in Japanese politics during the late 1920s, a critical period in Japan's pre-World War II political landscape.
- 21 Apr 1927 Mississippi River Flood Control Catastrophe: A catastrophic failure of the flood control system occurred at Mounds Landing, near Scott, Mississippi. This event represented a critical breakdown in infrastructure, likely causing significant property damage, displacement of local populations, and highlighting the urgent need for improved flood management strategies.
- 22 Apr 1927 First Experimental Electronic Television Transmission: In May, Philo Farnsworth of the United States made a groundbreaking technological advancement by transmitting the first experimental electronic television pictures, moving beyond previous mechanical TV systems and laying the foundation for modern television technology.
- 23 Apr 1927 Tragic Briggs Manufacturing Company Disaster: A devastating explosion and fire at the Briggs Manufacturing Company auto body plant in Detroit resulted in a catastrophic loss of life, with twenty-one workers killed and over one hundred injured. This industrial accident highlighted the significant workplace safety challenges of the era.
- 24 Apr 1927 Great Mississippi Flood of 1927: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was a catastrophic natural disaster that inundated approximately 700,000 people across the Mississippi River Valley. This unprecedented flooding caused massive destruction, displaced hundreds of thousands of residents, and became a pivotal moment in U.S. environmental and social history, highlighting the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
- 25 Apr 1927 Spanish Military Deployment in Morocco: In response to the Rif Rebellion, Spain dispatched 20,000 soldiers to Morocco to suppress an uprising by the Rifkabylen (Rif Berbers). This military intervention was part of the ongoing Rif War, a significant colonial conflict between Moroccan indigenous tribes and Spanish colonial forces in the northern regions of Morocco.
- 26 Apr 1927 Early Transatlantic Flight Attempt by Davis and Wooster: Lieutenant Commanders Noel Davis and Stanton H. Wooster made a pioneering attempt to win the prestigious Orteig Prize by planning a non-stop flight from New York to Paris. The Orteig Prize, offered by Raymond Orteig, challenged aviators to complete a direct aerial crossing between the United States and France, symbolizing the emerging era of long-distance aviation and international aerial exploration.
- 27 Apr 1927 Birth of Coretta Scott King: Coretta Scott King was born, who would become a prominent American civil rights activist and the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She would continue her husband's legacy of social justice and nonviolent activism after his assassination, becoming a significant leader in her own right in the civil rights movement.
- 29 Apr 1927 Spirit of St. Louis Aircraft Construction Completed: The iconic aircraft that would later be famously piloted by Charles Lindbergh in his historic transatlantic flight was completed. This aircraft represented a significant milestone in aviation history, symbolizing the technological advancement and adventurous spirit of the 1920s.
- 30 Apr 1927 Hollywood Handprints Tradition Begins: Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford became the first Hollywood celebrities to immortalize their handprints in concrete at Grauman's Chinese Theater, establishing a legendary Hollywood tradition.