Parades, Popes, and Sinking Ships!
Get ready for some seriously cool history on November 27th! This day has seen everything from massive religious call-to-arms to the start of an American holiday tradition. We’ve got emperors giving power to their sons, dramatic acts of defiance in World War II, and even the launch of a scientific award that shapes our world today. Let’s dive in!
Did you know that on this day, a pope urged knights to embark on a massive military adventure known as the Crusades? Just a few centuries later, a famous scientist signed away his fortune to create the Nobel Prizes! History really is full of surprising connections when you look closely at the calendar.
What Happened on This Day
Pope Declares the First Crusade!
Imagine the biggest, most important rally ever—that was the Council of Clermont! On this day, Pope Urban II stood up and told European knights and nobles they needed to march to the Middle East to reclaim the Holy Land. This call to arms launched the First Crusade, a huge, dramatic series of military trips that would shape world history for centuries. Think of it as a massive, year-long medieval road trip with battles instead of souvenirs!
The Birth of the Nobel Prizes is Signed
Get this: the man who invented dynamite—the super-powerful explosive—Alfred Nobel, signed his last will and testament on November 27th! Instead of leaving all his riches to just his family, he decided to use his massive fortune to create awards for people who did the most good for humanity in science, literature, and peace. That’s why we have the super-prestigious Nobel Prizes today! Talk about a cool way to leave a legacy.
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First Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Forget turkey and football for a second—the very first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade happened on November 27, 1924! The original parade was smaller, but it featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo, including elephants and monkeys, instead of the huge cartoon balloons we see today. It was so much fun that the crowds loved it, and a beloved American tradition was born right then and there!
French Fleet Self-Destructs to Stop Nazis
This is super dramatic! During World War II, the French navy was docked in the city of Toulon, occupied by Nazi Germany. Fearing the Nazis would use their powerful ships for evil, the French commanders gave a secret order: sink the fleet! They intentionally opened the valves and set fires to scuttle (sink) dozens of their own ships and submarines right there in the harbor. It was an amazing act of defiance to keep their powerful weapons out of enemy hands.
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First Man-Made Object Lands on Mars!
Humans couldn't land on Mars yet, but on this day, we got super close! The Soviet Union’s Mars 2 orbiter released a small descent module meant to touch down on the Red Planet. Sadly, the module’s parachute didn’t open correctly, and it crashed instead of landing softly. Even though it was a crash landing, it was still a major milestone—it was the very first human-made object to ever make contact with the surface of Mars!
Learn moreFun Facts About November 27
- The first Macy's parade featured real zoo animals like elephants instead of just giant balloons!
- In 176 AD, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius gave his son Commodus the title 'Imperator'.
- In 511 AD, King Clovis I of the Franks died, and his kingdom was divided among his sons.
- The American Statistical Association was founded in Boston on this day in 1839.
A Look Back in Time
As we wrap up November, history shows us people making huge, world-changing decisions. While Pope Urban II was stirring up medieval Europe for the Crusades, a different kind of planning was happening in the future: Alfred Nobel was securing his fortune for peace and science. Meanwhile, the world was becoming more modern with the first big American parade, and in the shadow of WWII, people were showing incredible loyalty by destroying their own naval power. It’s a day of epic beginnings and dramatic sacrifices!
Born on This Day
Bruce Lee
Get ready to say 'Wataaaah!' Bruce Lee was a legendary martial artist and movie star who showed the world the power of Kung Fu. He was famous for his speed, incredible focus, and the philosophy he blended with his fighting style. Even though he passed away too soon, his movies and messages inspire action stars today!
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was a guitar wizard whose music completely changed rock and roll forever! He played his electric guitar in ways no one had ever imagined, making wild sounds that seemed to come from another planet. He was a rock icon known for his incredible stage presence and unforgettable songs.
Bill Nye
It's time to 'Consider the following!' Bill Nye is the super-fun science educator known worldwide as 'The Science Guy.' He made learning about things like gravity, electricity, and biology exciting for millions of kids through his awesome TV show. He proves that science can be exciting, funny, and super important!
Anders Celsius
This Swedish astronomer and scientist invented the temperature scale that many countries still use today—the Celsius scale! Before him, telling people if it was hot or cold was a bit confusing. He helped make measuring temperature way more logical, which is super helpful for weather reporters and, well, everyone!