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

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

01 Feb 1927 Turkey Adopts Gregorian Calendar: In a significant modernization effort, Turkey officially transitioned from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. This change marked an important step in the country's westernization process under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The transition occurred smoothly, with December 18, 1926 (Julian calendar) being immediately followed by January 1, 1927 (Gregorian calendar), aligning Turkey with most of the Western world's timekeeping standards.
02 Feb 1927 Stan Getz Birth: Stan Getz, a renowned American jazz saxophonist who would later become a pivotal figure in the cool jazz and bossa nova movements, was born. Getz would go on to have a significant impact on 20th-century jazz music, winning multiple Grammy Awards during his illustrious career.
03 Feb 1927 Uprising against regime of General Carmona in Portugal.
04 Feb 1927 The Jazz Singer Premieres: The groundbreaking film 'The Jazz Singer', starring Al Jolson, is released, marking a pivotal moment in cinema history as the first feature-length motion picture with synchronized dialogue and singing, effectively launching the era of 'talking pictures'.
05 Feb 1927 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Established: The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) was founded as a pivotal non-profit organization dedicated to training surgeons and maintaining high surgical standards across Australia and New Zealand. This professional body would play a crucial role in standardizing medical education, ensuring quality surgical practices, and advancing medical knowledge in the Australasian region.
06 Feb 1927 Rebels Capture and Burn Chinandega, Nicaragua: On February 6, 1927, a significant conflict erupted in Nicaragua when a rebel force of approximately 1,500 fighters captured and systematically burned the city of Chinandega, which had previously served as the national capital. The intense battle lasted five days, with government troops eventually reclaiming the city. The conflict was particularly brutal, resulting in an estimated 300 fatalities and 500 wounded civilians and combatants. In response to the escalating violence, Nicaraguan President Adolfo Díaz requested military intervention from the United States, which subsequently deployed troops to Chinandega to help stabilize the region.
07 Feb 1927 Failed Military Coup in Lisbon, Portugal: On February 7, 1927, a military coup attempt was swiftly suppressed by the Portuguese government in Lisbon. This event was part of the ongoing political instability that characterized Portugal during the interwar period, reflecting the tensions between different political factions seeking to influence the nation's governance.
08 Feb 1927 Belgian-Swiss Diplomatic Treaty Signed: On February 8, 1927, Belgium and Switzerland formalized a bilateral diplomatic treaty, establishing formal diplomatic relations and potentially outlining mutual cooperation in trade, cultural exchange, and diplomatic protocols.
10 Feb 1927 Coolidge's Call for Global Disarmament: U.S. President Calvin Coolidge formally requested a second international disarmament conference, aiming to reduce global military tensions and promote peaceful diplomatic relations between world powers.
11 Feb 1927 Tragic Billy Gaffney Kidnapping: Billy Gaffney, a 4-year-old boy, was kidnapped while playing near his apartment building at 99 Fifteenth Street in Brooklyn. The child was never found. More than eight years later, convicted child murderer Albert Fish confessed to abducting and murdering young Gaffney, revealing a horrific crime that shocked the community.
12 Feb 1927 British Expeditionary Forces Land in Shanghai: British troops landed in Shanghai to protect British residents and interests during a period of significant political instability in China. The deployment was a strategic move to safeguard British citizens and commercial assets in the international settlement.
13 Feb 1927 Devastating Bosnian Earthquake: A catastrophic seismic event struck Bosnia, with a series of twenty earthquake tremors occurring within a single hour. The disaster resulted in approximately 100 fatalities, primarily concentrated in the area along the Neretva River, causing significant loss of life and potential infrastructure damage.
14 Feb 1927 Portuguese Political Uprising Suppressed: On February 14, 1927, an uprising against the authoritarian regime of General António de Oliveira Carmona was decisively defeated. This event underscored the political tensions and resistance against the existing Portuguese government during the interwar period.
15 Feb 1927 Clara Bow Stars in Groundbreaking Silent Film 'It': On February 15, 1927, Paramount Pictures released the silent romantic comedy 'It', starring Clara Bow, which would become a landmark film of the Jazz Age. Based on a story by Elinor Glyn, the movie popularized the concept of the 'It Girl' - a charismatic and sexually confident young woman. Clara Bow, with her vibrant screen presence, embodied this new archetype of modern femininity, making the film a significant cultural touchstone of the 1920s.
16 Feb 1927 US-Turkey Diplomatic Relations Restored: On February 16, 1927, the United States officially restored diplomatic relations with Turkey, marking a significant moment in post-World War I international diplomacy. This restoration came after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and represented a key step in normalizing bilateral relations between the two nations.
17 Feb 1927 Uneventful Day in 1927: While no specific major historical events were recorded for February 17, 1927, this day represents a typical moment in the interwar period between World War I and World War II. The world was experiencing relative peace and economic recovery, with significant social and technological changes gradually transforming global society during the 'Roaring Twenties'.
18 Feb 1927 US-Canada Diplomatic Relations Established: The United States and Canada officially began diplomatic relations, a milestone in North American international cooperation that would shape bilateral interactions for decades to come.
19 Feb 1927 Shanghai General Strike Against British Occupation: A significant general strike erupted in Shanghai against British colonial forces, demonstrating widespread local resistance to foreign occupation. The strike occurred shortly after British troops had established a presence in the city, reflecting growing tensions between the local population and imperial powers.
20 Feb 1927 Notable Births on February 20, 1927: A significant day of births featuring several influential cultural figures: Sidney Poitier, an iconic African-American actor and director who broke racial barriers in Hollywood; Roy Cohn, a controversial lawyer known for his role in the McCarthy Era; Ibrahim Ferrer, a renowned Cuban singer from the Buena Vista Social Club; and Hubert de Givenchy, the legendary French fashion designer.
21 Feb 1927 Nicaragua Seeks U.S. Protectorate Status: On February 21, 1927, Nicaragua's President Adolfo Díaz formally requested that the United States establish a protectorate over his nation, proposing a comprehensive 100-year treaty that would grant significant American oversight and control. This request came during a period of political instability and economic challenges in Nicaragua, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics of U.S. interventionism in Latin America during the early 20th century.
22 Feb 1927 Baruch Spinoza Museum Opens: On February 22, 1927, the house of mourning of Baruch Spinoza, a renowned Dutch philosopher of the 17th century known for his groundbreaking work in rationalism and ethics, was officially transformed into a museum. This landmark commemorates the life and intellectual legacy of one of the most influential philosophers in Western thought.
23 Feb 1927 Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle Communication: On February 23, 1927, German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg wrote a groundbreaking letter to fellow physicist Wolfgang Pauli, describing his uncertainty principle for the first time. This communication would become a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, revolutionizing our understanding of particle physics and measurement at the atomic scale.
24 Feb 1927 John Golden Theatre Opens in New York City: The historic John Golden Theatre, originally known as the Theatre Masque, was inaugurated on February 24, 1927, in the heart of Manhattan's vibrant Theater District. Located at 252 West 45th Street, this iconic Broadway venue would go on to become a significant cultural landmark in New York City's theatrical landscape. Designed during the golden age of Broadway, the theater has since hosted numerous acclaimed productions and remains an important part of the city's performing arts heritage.
25 Feb 1927 Gdańsk-Poland Traffic Corridor Agreement: A diplomatic agreement between the Free City of Gdańsk (Danzig) and Poland establishing protocols for transportation and traffic rights through the Polish Corridor, a strategically important territorial strip that connected Poland to the Baltic Sea while separating East Prussia from the rest of Germany.
26 Feb 1927 Uneventful Day in 1927: While no major historical events were specifically documented for February 26, 1927, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many smaller, localized events or personal histories might have transpired that were not widely recorded. The interwar period of the 1920s was a time of significant social and technological transformation, with ongoing developments in industry, culture, and global politics.
27 Feb 1927 US Marines Deploy to Shanghai: The 4th Regiment of the United States Marines, consisting of 1,200 troops, arrived in Shanghai aboard the transport USS Chaumont. This deployment was part of the United States' strategic military presence in China during a period of significant political instability. The Marines were tasked with protecting American citizens and interests in the international settlement of Shanghai, maintaining a continuous presence in the region until 1941.
28 Feb 1927 Uneventful Day in 1927: While no major historical events were specifically documented for February 28, 1927, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. The late 1920s were a dynamic period of global transition, with ongoing developments in technology, politics, and social structures. The world was recovering from World War I, experiencing the Jazz Age, and on the cusp of significant economic and technological changes that would define the 20th century.