On this day

27 April in history.

5 moments from 1810 to 2005: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

New York JFK

2005

The giant A380 takes off. The Airbus A380, a double-decker and the world's largest passenger plane, made its first flight from Toulouse, France.

Wikipedia: Airbus A380

Photo: Maarten Visser from Capelle aan den IJssel, Nederland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

More from 27 April

  1. First page from the first edition of Beethoven's Für Elise in Ludwig Nohl: Neue Briefe Beethovens. Stuttgart 1867, p. 28

    1810

    Für Elise

    Beethoven wrote a short piano piece in A minor that became one of the best-known tunes ever. It was only discovered and published after his death.

    Wikipedia: Für EliseWikipedia: Ludwig van Beethoven

    Photo: Ludwig van Beethoven/Ludwig Nohl / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Victor Schœlcher

    1848

    France ends slavery for good

    Led by Victor Schœlcher, the new French republic abolished slavery in all its colonies.

    Wikipedia: End of slavery in FranceWikipedia: Victor Schœlcher

    Photo: Henri Decaisne / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. expo 67 logo, representing "friendship around the world"

    1967

    Expo 67 opens

    Expo 67 opened in Montreal, with 62 countries taking part. Over six months, visitors came more than 50 million times.

    Wikipedia: Expo 67

    Photo: Julien Hébert / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Dennis Taylor , retired Northern Irish snooker player. Taken in Belfast in 2004

    1985

    The black ball final

    In snooker's world final, Dennis Taylor beat Steve Davis on the very last ball, after midnight, watched by over 18 million people in Britain.

    Wikipedia: 1985 World Snooker Championship finalWikipedia: Dennis Taylor

    Photo: John Dempsey / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.