What Happened in 1827

Sophia Auld Teaches Douglass to Read

It was here, under the instruction of Mrs. Auld that young Frederick first learned the alphabet. However it did not last long, for when Mr. Auld... Read more

Joseph Smith Jr. Elopes With Emma Hale

Emma first met her future husband, Joseph Smith, Jr., in 1825. Smith lived near Palmyra, New York, but boarded with the Hales in Harmony while he... Read more

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Becomes The First U.S. Railway Chartered For Commercial Use

On February 28, 1827, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad became the first U.S. railway chartered for commercial transportation of freight and... Read more

Freedom's Journal is Founded

Freedom's Journal was the first African American owned and operated newspaper published in the United States. Published weekly in New York City... Read more

Beethoven Dies From Illness

The Death of Ludwig van Beethoven on 26 March 1827 followed a prolonged illness. It was witnessed by his sister-in-law and by his close friend... Read more

Charles Darwin First Scientific Speech

Darwin made a discovery new to science when he observed cilia moving the microscopic larvae of a species of the bryzoan Flustra. He rushed to tell... Read more

Charles Dickens begins work at law office of Ellis and Blackmore

The start of 1827 found Charles Dickens enrolled as a student at Wellington House Academy. In May, through connections made by his mother, he... Read more

Edgar Allan Poe joins US Army

Unable to support himself, on May 27, 1827, Poe enlisted in the United States Army as a private. Using the name "Edgar A. Perry", he claimed he was... Read more

Aaron A. Sargent Is Born

Aaron Augustus Sargent (September 28, 1827 – August 14, 1887) was an American journalist, lawyer, politician and diplomat. He was sometimes called... Read more