Today in History
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1983 The first shaft of the world’s longest tunnel is completed
The 53.85 km (33.46 mi) long Seikan Tunnel connects the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido.
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1967 U.S., U.K., and Soviet Union sign the Outer Space Treaty
The treaty prohibits the use of nuclear weapons in space and restricts the use of the Moon to peaceful purposes.
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1967 3 astronauts die in a cabin fire while preparing for the Apollo 1 mission
The accident was a blow to NASA’s Apollo manned lunar landing program.
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1945 Soviet forces liberate Auschwitz
In the extermination camps near Owicim, Poland, the German Nazi regime murdered over 1.1 million people.
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1944 Soviet forces liberate Leningrad
Die Siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days and left over 1 million people dead.
Births On This Day, January 27
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1974 Ole Einar Bjørndalen
Norwegian biathlete
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1944 Mairead Maguire
Irish activist, Nobel Prize laureate
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1859 Wilhelm II, German Emperor
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1832 Lewis Carroll
English author
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1756 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Austrian composer
Deaths On This Day, January 27
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2014 Pete Seeger
American singer-songwriter, guitarist
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2009 John Updike
American author, poet, critic
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2008 Suharto
Indonesian soldier, politician, 2nd President of Indonesia
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1983 Louis de Funès
French actor, comedian
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1901 Giuseppe Verdi
Italian composer