On April 27, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus.

During the Civil War, Lincoln took the bold move of suspending the writ of habeas corpus, a legal safeguard ensuring individuals cannot be detained without proper justification. This action, first in 1861 and again in 1862, allowed Union authorities to imprison people without charges or the opportunity to contest their detention in court. Lincoln argued that the measure was essential to address rebellion, espionage, and dissent against the Union during the crisis. Though it sparked debate over the limits of civil liberties and presidential power, the U.S. Constitution permits such suspensions in cases of rebellion or invasion when public safety demands it.

Image: Abraham Lincoln by George Henry Story via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

18th President of The United States & Commanding General of the United States Army, Ulysses S. Grant, was born on April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio.

Famous Grant Quote from 1863:
“God gave us Lincoln and Liberty, let us fight for both.”

Image: Ulysses S. Grant birthplace via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions

A portrait of the steamer Sultana packed with thousands of paroled Union soldiers a day before she exploded on the Mississippi River on April 27, 1865 which killed nearly 1,200 passengers (exact count is unknown and some reports indicate as many as 1,700.)

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On April 27, 1962, Hamilton Grange, the home of Alexander Hamilton, was designated a National Memorial.

This designation aimed to preserve the home of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers, and honor his enduring legacy. Originally built in 1802, the house has been relocated twice and now stands in St. Nicholas Park in Manhattan.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On today’s date April 27, 1805:
“After a bombardment of Tripoli, a landing party with Lieutenant O’Bannon of the Marines in command hauled down the Tripolitan flag and hoisted Old Glory for the first time over a fort in the old world.” – title of the image

https://archive.org/stream/MarinesInTheFrigateNavy#page/n15/mode/2up

Photo: By Unknown or not provided (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

American artist and inventor Samuel Morse was born on April 27, 1791 in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

As an artist Morse painted portraits of famous people including John Adams, James Monroe, the Marquis de Lafayette and Eli Whitney.

Image c. 1870 via National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Larry J. West, no known restrictions

American scientist and co-discoverer of the element neptunium (Np), Philip Abelson, was born on April 27, 1913 in Tacoma, Washington.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions

The 1908 Summer Olympic Games in London, England opened on April 27th of that year.
The Olympics didn’t just run for a few weeks like it does today. It spanned over many months and concluded in October 1908.

Here’s an image of the Gold Medal winning American revolver team who participated that July.

The United States captured 47 medals during that Olympics.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known restrictions

A vintage photograph of a woman wearing a decorative hat and lovely dress titled:

“At home April 27, 1909”

via Library of Congress, no known restrictions

On April 27, 1903, Jamaica Race Course in Jamaica, Queens, New York City opened to the public. It operated until 1959 and the land is currently occupied by a housing complex.

Image: Jamaica Race Course in 1903 from CaptJayRuffins • CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Walter Lantz, the man who created Woody Woodpecker, was born on April 27, 1899 in
New Rochelle, New York.

Image of Lantz via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Three people (and a dog) gathered around a totem pole in Ketchikan, Alaska on April 27, 1913.

Image via LOC, no known restrictions

“The Rajah”, Rogers Hornsby was born on April 27, 1896 in Winters, Texas.

During the 1922 season Hornsby won his first of two Triple Crowns in Baseball. Only Hornsby and Ted Williams won the Triple Crown (in batting) twice.
In 1922 Hornsby hit 42 home runs, 152 RBIs and had a .401 batting average.

Image: Hornsby swinging his bat in 1922 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On April 27, 1813, Brigadier General Zebulon Pike was killed during the War of 1812 at The Battle of York in present day Toronto, Canada.

He and numerous Americans gave their lives after a magazine exploded inside the fort and debris fell outside of the fort walls which descended onto US forces.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

American soldiers from the 31st Infantry marching near Vladivostok, Russia

April 27, 1919

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain