On March 27, 1797, John Adams, recently inaugurated as the second President of the United States, wrote to Abigail Adams about the challenges he faced, including his decision to call Congress into session earlier than planned due to urgent matters. Despite being “very unwell” and suffering from “a violent cold and cough,” Adams expressed his hope that Abigail would join him in Philadelphia, valuing her advice and companionship during this demanding period. This letter reflects his commitment to his presidential duties, even while managing personal struggles.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
George P.A. Healy’s “The Peacemakers” portrays the March 27, 1865, meeting aboard the River Queen between President Lincoln, Generals Grant and Sherman, and Admiral Porter. Set in an intimate setting, it symbolizes their unity and hope for peace as they strategized the Civil War’s conclusion. A rainbow in the background serves as a powerful emblem of optimism and reconciliation.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
A vintage birthday greeting card c. 1911
On March 27, 1868 Patty Hill the woman who is believed to have co-written (with her sister) the popular tune “Happy Birthday To You” was born in Anchorage, Kentucky.
Image via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions
On March 27, 1794, the original six frigates of the US Navy were authorized for construction.
They were the USS United States, the USS Constitution, the USS President, the USS Congress, the USS Constellation and a ship that was later named the USS Chesapeake.
All but the Chesapeake were named by George Washington.
Image of an engraving of the USS United States c. 1852 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
American actress Gloria Swanson was born on March 27, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois.
Image: Gloria Swanson for the film Male and Female in 1919 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
“Warm Springs, California. Harry Konda is shown above in strawberry field on March 27, 1942, six weeks before he and 142 other farmers were evacuated from this district in Santa Clara County. He is an officer of the Japanese American Citizens League. Evacuees of Japanese descent will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.”
Image by Dorothea Lange via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
A powerful 9.2 magnitude earthquake struck Alaska on March 27, 1964. About 130 deaths occurred from the quake and resulting landslides and tsunamis. Show is Fourth Avenue and Barrow Street in Anchorage. President Johnson declared all of Alaska a disaster area the day after the earthquake.
US Army via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.
Scene in Geronimo’s camp…before surrender to General Crook, March 27, 1886: group in Natches’ camp; boys with rifles
via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On March 27, 1900, William Abner Eddy of Bayonne, New Jersey received a patent for his “Eddy” kite or diamond shaped, two-stick kite which became the common kite flown by many.
This is William’s daughter, Margaret, with her father’s kites c. 1890s.
via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Jim Thorpe, an Olympic hero, signing at desk
Image dated March 27, 1913
via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft (left) and Viscountess Iwa Chinda of Japan (right) planted one Yoshino cherry sapling each which were the first of over three thousand cherry trees given by Japan that year to be planted in Washington, D.C.
This was two years after the U.S. received over 2,000 cherry trees from Japan to be planted in D.C., but were infested by insects and needed to be destroyed.
Images via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
“General Adolphus Washington Greely and party arriving at the Golden Gate Hotel in Nome, Alaska”
He’s sitting in the front passenger seat on the right in 1905.
Adolphus Washington Greely was born on
March 27, 1844 in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
He was a Major General in The United States Army
who started his military career as a teenager during the Civil War. He was also an Arctic explorer and eventually became Chief Signal Officer of The U.S. Army before the Spanish-American War.
Photo by Frank H. Nowell (1864-1950), public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Dorothy & Lillian Gish, D.W. Griffith
March 27, 1922
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On March 27, 1973, The Godfather won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Image of Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone dancing with Talia Shire as Connie Corleone (Vito’s only daughter) on her wedding day
via Alamy
