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On This Day December 27

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Celebrity Birthdays

1822 – French chemist-microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who pioneered the vaccination process (d. 1895)

1939 – Actor John Amos (“Good Times,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Roots,” “Die Hard 2,” “Two and a Half Men”)

1943 – Journalist and ABC News and NPR commentator Cokie Roberts (d. 2019)

1948 – Actor Gérard Depardieu (“1900,” “The Last Metro,” “Cyrano de Bergerac,” “Green Card,” “Man in the Iron Mask,” “Life of Pi”)

1971 – NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie

History Highlights

1831 – British naturalist Charles Darwin sets out from Plymouth, England, aboard the HMS Beagle on a five-year expedition to survey the geology and wildlife of coastal South America. His observations eventually lead to development of his theory of evolution through natural selection.

1932 – In the midst of the Depression, New York City’s iconic Radio City Music Hall opens and is touted as a “palace for the people.” Since then, more than 300 million people have enjoyed stage shows, movies, concerts and special events at the unmistakable Art Deco venue located in midtown Manhattan.

1947 – The first popular American children’s show on television, “The Howdy Doody Show,” premieres on NBC.

1968 – Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, returns safely to Earth after an historic six-day journey.

2016 – “Star Wars” fans around the world are devastated to learn that actress Carrie Fisher, best known for playing Princess Leia in the legendary movie series, has died at the age of 60. Her death comes four days after suffering a massive heart attack on an international flight.

Musical Milestones

1969 – Motown giants The Supremes hit No. 1 on the singles chart for the 12th time in their musical career — this time with “Someday We’ll Be Together.”

1969 – Led Zeppelin score their first No. 1 album with “Led Zeppelin II,” which brings us “Whole Lotta Love,” “What Is and What Should Never Be,” “Ramble On” and six other tracks. It goes on to sell more than six million copies in the U.S. alone. 

1975 – The Staple Singers own the No. 1 single, “Let’s Do It Again,” from the movie of the same name.

1980 – “Double Fantasy,” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, begins an eight-week run at No. 1 on the album chart. That same day, one of its tracks, “(Just Like) Starting Over” reaches No. 1 on the singles chart and remains there for five weeks.

1986 – The Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian” is mid-way through a four-week hold on the No. 1 spot on the Billboard singles chart. 

1997 – “Candle in the Wind 1997,” Elton John’s tribute to the late Princess Diana, maintains its grip on the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

2003 – OutKast is in the middle of a nine-week ride on top of the singles chart with “Hey Ya!”

2008 – Beyoncé delivers the last No. 1 song of 2008 and first of 2009 as she kicks off three weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”

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