27 December - Apollo 8 returned to Earth.

 

On 27 December 1968, Apollo 8, the first crewed spacecraft to orbit the Moon, successfully returned to Earth. This historic mission, launched by NASA, marked a pivotal moment in the Space Race and laid the groundwork for the subsequent Apollo 11 Moon landing. Commanded by Frank Borman, with James Lovell as the Command Module Pilot and William Anders as the Lunar Module Pilot, the mission was the first to carry humans beyond low Earth orbit and into lunar orbit.

During its journey, Apollo 8 orbited the Moon ten times, providing humanity with its first close-up views of the lunar surface. It also captured the iconic "Earthrise" photograph, showcasing Earth as a fragile, distant sphere against the vastness of space. The mission concluded when the spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, successfully completing a mission that demonstrated the feasibility of a crewed lunar landing. Apollo 8 remains a testament to human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration.

27 December - Charles Darwin set sail aboard the HMS Beagle on a voyage to understand life on Earth

 

On 27 December 1831, Charles Darwin set sail aboard the HMS Beagle on a voyage that would profoundly impact the scientific understanding of life on Earth. The expedition, led by Captain Robert FitzRoy, was intended to chart the coastlines of South America and collect geological, biological, and hydrographical data. At just 22 years old, Darwin joined the crew as a naturalist, tasked with studying the natural history of the regions visited.

Over the nearly five-year journey, the Beagle visited locations such as the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and the Galápagos Islands, among others. Darwin meticulously recorded his observations of the diverse flora, fauna, and geological formations. His time in the Galápagos Islands proved especially significant, as he noted variations in species, such as finches and tortoises, across different islands. These observations laid the groundwork for his theory of evolution by natural selection.

The voyage also exposed Darwin to the effects of natural forces such as earthquakes and volcanic activity, reinforcing his interest in geology. The extensive specimens and notes he collected became the foundation for his later work, including his seminal book On the Origin of Species (1859), which revolutionized biology and challenged contemporary views on creation. The Beagle journey remains one of the most famous scientific expeditions in history, demonstrating the profound impact of exploration and observation on scientific discovery.

27 December - First Tea Auction in India

 

On 27 December 1861, India witnessed its inaugural tea auction in Kolkata, marking a significant milestone in the nation's tea industry. This historic event was orchestrated by R. Thomas & Company, general brokers, and conducted by the firm Mackenzie Lyall at No. 2, Mission Row.

The success of this initial auction paved the way for subsequent sales. A second auction took place on 19 February 1862, managed by W. Moran & Co. at No. 5, Bankshall Street. Shortly thereafter, on 25 February 1862, a third auction was held at the Old Mint Mart, where 751 chests of tea were sold by W. Moran & Co. on behalf of the Assam Tea Company and Jorehaut Tea Company.

These early auctions were instrumental in establishing a structured marketplace for tea, facilitating transparent pricing and efficient distribution. The growing significance of tea auctions led to the formation of the Calcutta Tea Traders Association on September 15, 1886, with the objective of promoting the common interests of sellers, buyers, and brokers in the Kolkata market. Initially comprising 41 members, some of whom remain prominent in the tea trade today, the association played a pivotal role in formalizing auction processes and standards.

Over time, Kolkata evolved into a central hub for tea auctions, with venues like Nilhat House on R.N. Mukherjee Road becoming synonymous with the trade. Established traditions and practices at these auction houses have significantly contributed to India's emergence as one of the world's leading tea producers and exporters.

The legacy of these early auctions endures, reflecting the rich history and enduring importance of tea in India's cultural and economic landscape.

27 December - Bhaskara Sethupathy death anniversary

 

Bhaskara Sethupathy ( Muthuvijaya Raghunatha Bhaskara; 03 November 1868 – 27 December 1903) was a Zamindar of Ramnad.He became the recognised proprietor of the Ramnad estate after his father's death in 1873 until 1895. From 1895, he assumed Managership of Rameswaram until 1901.

He was regarded as a pious, brilliant and generous ruler by his supporters. His supporters believed that he would regain control of Ramnad estate some day. He died suddenly at the age of 35 in 1903

27 December - William George Morgan death anniversary

 

William George Morgan (23 January 1870 – 27 December 1942) was an American physical education instructor who is credited with the invention of the sport of volleyball. Morgan was born in Lockport, New York, and he developed volleyball in 1895 as a recreational activity that could be played indoors to provide a less strenuous alternative to basketball.

Originally called "Mintonette," Morgan's new game involved a net and was designed to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball. The name "volleyball" was later adopted to better describe the nature of the game, as players volleyed a ball back and forth over a net. The first official game of volleyball was played at the International YMCA Training School in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where Morgan worked.

Volleyball quickly gained popularity and evolved into a widely played and organized sport around the world. Morgan's creation has become one of the most popular sports globally, played both recreationally and competitively. He left a lasting impact on the world of sports through the invention of volleyball.

27 December - Marlene Dietrich birth anniversary

 

Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was born on 27 December 1901. She passed away on 06 May 1992. Dietrich was a legendary figure in the entertainment industry, known for her distinctive voice, glamorous persona, and roles in films such as "The Blue Angel" (1930) and "Morocco" (1930). Additionally, she was celebrated for her contributions to the Allied war effort during World War II, including her performances for American troops.

27 December - Johannes Kepler birth anniversary

 

Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) was a German mathematician, astronomer, and astrologer who played a key role in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. He made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy and mathematics, and his work laid the foundation for many later developments in these disciplines. 

He was born on 27 December 1571, in Weil der Stadt, in the Holy Roman Empire (now in Germany). He passed away on 15 November 1630  in Regensburg, also in the Holy Roman Empire. 

1. Laws of Planetary Motion: Kepler's most famous work is his formulation of the laws governing the motion of planets around the sun. These laws, known as Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion, were derived based on careful observations made by Tycho Brahe. The three laws are:

   • First Law (Law of Ellipses): The orbit of a planet around the sun is an ellipse with the sun at one of the two foci.
   • Second Law (Law of Equal Areas): A line segment joining a planet and the sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.
   • Third Law (Harmonic Law): The square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.

2. Astronomia nova (New Astronomy): In this work published in 1609, Kepler presented his first two laws of planetary motion. He also discussed the concept of elliptical orbits, moving away from the traditional belief in perfect circular orbits.

3. Harmonices Mundi (Harmony of the World): Published in 1619, this work continued Kepler's exploration of the relationships between planetary orbits and musical harmony. He proposed a connection between the distances of the planets from the sun and musical intervals.

4. Rudolphine Tables: Kepler worked on and completed the Rudolphine Tables, a set of astronomical tables based on Tycho Brahe's observations. These tables were named in honor of his patron, Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II.

Kepler's work laid the groundwork for Isaac Newton's later development of the law of universal gravitation. His contributions were instrumental in advancing the understanding of celestial mechanics and paved the way for a more accurate description of planetary motion.

 

27 December - Transfer of sovereignty of Indonesia from Netherlands in 1949

 

On 27 December 1949 the Netherlands officially transferred sovereignty over Indonesia to the Republic of Indonesia. This event marked the end of a long process that began with Indonesia declaring its independence from Dutch colonial rule on 17 August 1945 . The transfer of sovereignty was formalized through the Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference, which took place from 23 August to 02 November 1949 , in The Hague.

The outcome of the conference was the recognition of Indonesia as an independent and sovereign state by the Netherlands. The transfer of sovereignty on 27 December 1949, symbolized the end of Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia and the establishment of Indonesia as a unified nation.