Major Events of December 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 December 1927 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of December 1927: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Dec 1927 Ford Model A Automobile Sales Launch: On December 1, 1927, Ford Motor Company began selling its revolutionary Model A automobile, replacing the iconic Model T. This marked a significant milestone in automotive history, as the Model A represented a modern, more advanced design with improved performance, styling, and features compared to its predecessor. The launch signaled Ford's adaptation to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements in the automotive industry.
02 Dec 1927 Ford Introduces Model A, Ending Model T Era: Following 19 years of Ford Model T production, the Ford Motor Company officially unveiled the Ford Model A as its groundbreaking new automobile, marking a significant transition in automotive manufacturing. This new model represented a major technological and design leap from the iconic Model T, signaling Ford's commitment to innovation and meeting evolving consumer preferences.
03 Dec 1927 Laurel & Hardy's First Movie Released: On December 3, 1927, the comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy premiered their first official collaborative film, 'Putting Pants on Philip', a short silent film that marked the beginning of their legendary comedic partnership. This landmark release would set the stage for one of the most iconic comedy teams in cinema history.
04 Dec 1927 Duke Ellington's Cotton Club Debut: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra made their groundbreaking debut at the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem, marking a pivotal moment in jazz history. This performance would launch Ellington's career, leading to a five-year residency at the club and eventual nationwide recognition through CBS Radio Network broadcasts.
05 Dec 1927 Birth of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand: Bhumibol Adulyadej, who would become the beloved and long-reigning King of Thailand, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Known for his significant cultural and political influence, he was not only a monarch but also a talented musician and composer. His birth marked the beginning of a remarkable life that would deeply shape modern Thai history.
06 Dec 1927 Failed Coup Attempt in El Salvador: On December 6, 1927, Colonel Juan Aberle and Major Alfaro Noguera launched an unsuccessful coup attempt in El Salvador. The military officers seized control of the central police barracks in San Salvador, but their poorly planned uprising was quickly suppressed by government forces.
08 Dec 1927 Birth of Vladimir Shatalov, Soviet Cosmonaut: Vladimir Alexandrovich Shatalov was born on December 8, 1927, in Donetsk, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union). He would later become a distinguished Soviet cosmonaut and test pilot, making significant contributions to the Soviet space program during the Space Race era. Shatalov was a three-time space traveler who commanded multiple space missions and played a crucial role in advancing Soviet space exploration.
10 Dec 1927 Grand Ole Opry First Radio Broadcast: The Grand Ole Opry, a legendary country music radio program, made its inaugural radio broadcast from Nashville, Tennessee. This groundbreaking moment would become a pivotal platform for country music artists and help popularize the genre across the United States. The weekly country music concert program would go on to become the longest-running radio broadcast in American history.
11 Dec 1927 Guangzhou Uprising of 1927: On December 11, 1927, Communist militia and worker Red Guards launched a significant uprising in Guangzhou, China. The revolutionary forces successfully took control of most of the city and boldly proclaimed the establishment of the Guangzhou Soviet, marking a critical moment in the early Chinese Communist revolutionary movement. This event was part of the broader struggle between Communist forces and Nationalist (Kuomintang) control during the tumultuous period of China's political transformation.
12 Dec 1927 Oklahoma Legislative Impeachment Proceedings: In response to Governor Johnston's actions, state representatives convened at the Huckins Hotel in Oklahoma City and voted to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Johnston, State Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred P. Branson, and State Board of Agriculture chairman Henry B. Cordell.
13 Dec 1927 Birth of Christopher Plummer: Christopher Plummer was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He would go on to become a renowned actor with a distinguished career spanning stage, film, and television, winning numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Beginners' (2010).
14 Dec 1927 Iraq Gains Nominal Independence from Britain: Iraq achieved a form of independence from British colonial rule, though British military presence and significant political influence remained in the country. This marked an important transitional moment in Iraq's path to full sovereignty.
15 Dec 1927 Tragic Marion Parker Kidnapping and Murder: On December 15, 1927, 12-year-old Marion Parker was kidnapped from Mount Vernon Junior High School in Los Angeles by William Edward Hickman, a horrific crime that shocked the nation. After her abduction, Hickman murdered and dismembered the young girl, leading to an extensive manhunt across the West Coast. Law enforcement launched the largest regional search effort to that date, ultimately capturing Hickman on December 22 in Oregon.
16 Dec 1927 German Naval Bombardment of English Coastal Towns: During World War I, German warships launched a significant naval attack on the northern English coastal towns of Scarborough, Whitby, and Hartlepool, firing over 500 shells. This unprecedented assault marked a shocking moment in the war, as it was the first time English civilians were directly targeted, bringing the brutality of the conflict to British home soil and causing significant civilian casualties and psychological trauma.
17 Dec 1927 USS S-4 Submarine Tragedy: The U.S. submarine S-4 was accidentally rammed and sunk by the United States Coast Guard cutter John Paulding off Provincetown, Massachusetts. Despite multiple rescue attempts, all 34 crew members perished in this tragic maritime disaster.
18 Dec 1927 Book of Common Prayer Revision Approved by House of Lords: On December 18, 1927, the British House of Lords voted to approve a significant revision to the Book of Common Prayer, a foundational liturgical text for the Church of England. The revision, proposed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, passed with a substantial majority of 241 votes in favor and 88 votes against. This update represented an important moment in the ongoing evolution of Anglican religious practices and reflected the changing theological and cultural landscape of early 20th-century Britain.
19 Dec 1927 Execution of Indian Revolutionaries in Kakori Conspiracy: On December 19, 1927, three prominent Indian revolutionaries - Ram Prasad Bismil, Roshan Singh, and Ashfaqulla Khan - were executed by the British Raj for their participation in the Kakori conspiracy, a significant act of resistance against British colonial rule. These freedom fighters were key members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and their execution highlighted the brutal suppression of India's independence movement.
20 Dec 1927 George Remus Murder Trial: Landmark Insanity Defense: In a sensational legal proceeding on December 20, 1927, George Remus, a prominent lawyer-turned-bootlegger during the Prohibition era, was acquitted of murder charges through a successful insanity defense. The trial captivated public attention, highlighting the complex legal and psychological dynamics of criminal responsibility during the tumultuous 1920s. Remus, who had previously been a successful criminal defense attorney before becoming a notorious bootlegger, was accused of murdering his wife Imogene in a dramatic case that exposed the personal and professional tensions of the Prohibition period.
21 Dec 1927 Death of Australian Cricket Player Jack Saunders: Jack Saunders, a notable Australian cricket player who represented his national team between 1902 and 1908, passed away. During his international cricket career, he was recognized for his significant bowling performance, taking 79 wickets across 14 Test matches. His contributions to Australian cricket in the early 20th century marked him as an important sporting figure of his era.
22 Dec 1927 Ford Model A Mass Production Begins: Ford Motor Company commenced mass production of the Model A automobile, marking a significant milestone in automotive manufacturing. After a three-week public preview, the vehicles began shipping to dealerships nationwide, signaling the end of the iconic Model T era and the introduction of a new, more modern automobile design.
23 Dec 1927 Santa Claus Bank Robbery in Cisco, Texas: A violent bank robbery occurred at the First National Bank of Cisco, Texas, when three ex-convicts and an accomplice stole $12,400. The crime resulted in the tragic deaths of the town's police chief and a deputy, shocking the local community and drawing national attention to the lawlessness of the era.
24 Dec 1927 U.S. Marines Prevent Oil Refinery Disaster in Tientsin: During a period of conflict in China, the Standard Oil refinery in Tientsin caught fire amidst ongoing battles. United States Marines, who had been deployed earlier that year to protect American interests, successfully fought the blaze over four days, preventing potential widespread destruction and saving the city.
25 Dec 1927 Manusmriti Burning Protest in Mahad: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and his followers publicly burned copies of the Manusmriti, a Hindu legal text that codified discriminatory caste-based practices, in a powerful symbolic act of protest against social oppression in Mahad, Maharashtra. This landmark event was a significant moment in the Indian social reform movement, challenging deeply entrenched caste hierarchies and advocating for Dalit rights.
26 Dec 1927 Hominy Indians Defeat New York Giants: In a remarkable exhibition football game, the Hominy Indians, an all-Native American football team, defeated the professional New York Giants with a score of 13-6. This match was significant in highlighting the athletic prowess of Native American athletes during an era of significant racial segregation and limited opportunities.
27 Dec 1927 Show Boat: A Landmark in American Musical Theatre: Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's groundbreaking musical play 'Show Boat' premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Broadway, marking a pivotal moment in the development of the American musical. Based on Edna Ferber's novel, the production revolutionized musical theatre by integrating serious dramatic themes with musical storytelling, addressing complex social issues like racial discrimination.
28 Dec 1927 Detroit Cougars First NHL Game: The Detroit Cougars, who would later become the legendary Detroit Red Wings, played their inaugural National Hockey League (NHL) game. This marked the beginning of what would become one of the most storied franchises in professional hockey history.
29 Dec 1927 Lindbergh Honored with Ticker-Tape Parade: New York City celebrated Charles Lindbergh's historic solo transatlantic flight with a massive ticker-tape parade, symbolizing the nation's admiration for his groundbreaking aviation achievement. Lindbergh's May 1927 flight from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis had captured global imagination, making him an international hero and transforming public perception of aviation's potential.
30 Dec 1927 Feedback Amplifier Invented: Harold Stephen Black develops the feedback amplifier, a groundbreaking electronic innovation that would revolutionize signal processing and communication technologies.
31 Dec 1927 Bill Ponsford's Record-Breaking Cricket Performance: Australian cricketer Bill Ponsford achieved a remarkable batting performance, scoring 336 runs against South Africa, which contributed to his impressive monthly total of 1,146 runs. This extraordinary achievement highlighted Ponsford's exceptional skill and consistency during the 1927 cricket season.