On this day

27 December in history.

5 moments from 1657 to 1966: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Second voyage of HMS Beagle

1831

Darwin sets sail on the Beagle. HMS Beagle left Plymouth with young Charles Darwin aboard. The voyage made him a naturalist and set him thinking about evolution.

Wikipedia: Second voyage of HMS Beagle

Photo: Conrad Martens (1801 - 21 August 1878) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 27 December

  1. The Flushing Remonstrance letter of 1657, scanned by New York State Archives

    1657

    A first call for religious freedom

    The Flushing Remonstrance stated, for the first time in North American history, that freedom of religion is a fundamental right.

    Wikipedia: Flushing Remonstrance

    Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Radio City Music Hall

    1932

    Radio City Music Hall opens

    Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City, with the world's largest auditorium at the time.

    Wikipedia: Radio City Music Hall

    Photo: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

  3. Colorized version of

    1935

    The first woman rabbi

    Regina Jonas was ordained as the first female rabbi in the history of Judaism.

    Wikipedia: Regina Jonas

    Photo: See / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  4. A flock of conures in the Cave of Swallows, La Huasteca, Mexico

    1966

    The Cave of Swallows is discovered

    The Cave of Swallows in Mexico, the largest known cave shaft in the world, was discovered.

    Wikipedia: Cave of Swallows

    Photo: Onixmtz / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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