June 27: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

June 27^th is also known as Pineapple Day and Sunglasses Day.

Today marks the 178^th day of the year. We’re slowly getting through the year, but still have 187 days left until the end of the year.

To help you through these final days of June, let’s discover some interesting historical events, as well as celebrity births & deaths that just happened to fall on this day.

Did you know that on this day in 1994, Aerosmith allowed fans to freely download their new single “Head First” online? They were the first major-label band to do so.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about June 27^th in history!

What Happened On June 27 In History?

2008

Bill Gates stepped down as chairman of Microsoft Corporation.

Gates resigned so that he had more time to focus on his charity organization Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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1998

Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia officially opened.

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1994

Aerosmith became the first major-label band to allow fans to freely download their new single “Head First” online.

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1987

Iraqi warplanes bombed the town of Sardasht in Iran with a chemical attack.

This was the first time in military history that a civilian population was targeted with a chemical attack.

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1979

Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali retired for the third time.

His retirement didn't last long and he returned because he needed money. His comeback was to battle against Larry Holmes for the World Boxing Championship belt.

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1973

James Bond’s eighth movie “Live and Let Die” was released in the US.

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1967

The world’s first operating ATM opened in Enfield, London.

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1955

Illinois became the first US state to make it compulsory by law to wear a seatbelt.

The use of seatbelts was made mandatory after development of cars was progressing. Some vehicles were capable of over 90 miles per hour leading to many deaths during accidents.

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1893

Stock markets crashed in New York because of a public panic, which traced back to wheat crop failure in Argentina.

As a result, over 575 banks collapsed or had to temporarily suspend all operations.

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1847

New York and Boston were linked by telegraph wires.

With this, communication became relatively possible over long distances.

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1844

The founder of the Mormons, Joseph Smith Jr., was murdered by a mob at the Carthage, Illinois jail.

Smith's brother Hyrum was also killed. Joseph was running for president at the time and is therefore the first U.S. presidential candidate to be assassinated.