On this day

27 July in history.

5 moments from 1694 to 1949: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Photograph of F. G. Banting

1921

Insulin is discovered. At the University of Toronto, Frederick Banting and Charles Best showed that insulin could lower blood sugar. It has since saved millions of lives.

Wikipedia: Frederick Banting

Photo: Louis Schmidt / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 27 July

  1. View of the Bank of England building in July 2022

    1694

    The Bank of England

    A royal charter created the Bank of England.

    Wikipedia: Bank of England

    Photo: acediscovery / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

  2. Great Eastern at Hearts Content, July 1866

    1866

    A telegraph cable across the ocean

    A lasting telegraph cable was completed between Ireland and Newfoundland, carrying messages across the Atlantic in minutes.

    Wikipedia: Transatlantic telegraph cableWikipedia: SS Great Eastern

    Photo: most likely Robert Edward Holloway (d. 1904) according to source / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Tex Avery

    1940

    Bugs Bunny arrives

    The cartoon A Wild Hare introduced Bugs Bunny and his famous line, "What's up, Doc?"

    Wikipedia: Bugs BunnyWikipedia: A Wild Hare

    Photo: Jay Emanuel Publications, Inc. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Geoffrey de Havilland

    1949

    The Comet takes off

    The de Havilland Comet, the first jet airliner, made its first flight near London.

    Wikipedia: De Havilland Comet

    Photo: SDASM Archives / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

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