Nicosia, Cyprus. A series of political, scientific and cultural events have taken place on March 27 across several decades. These include a coup in Yugoslavia, major deaths, a military aviation milestone and scientific research developments.
1941: Coup in Yugoslavia
Prince Paul, regent of Yugoslavia, was deposed in a coup after reaching a pact with Adolf Hitler. His nephew, Peter II, ruled for a few weeks until Axis troops invaded.
1968: Death of Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet hero after he became the first man in space in 1961, was killed in a plane crash near Moscow.
1994: Eurofighter maiden flight
The Eurofighter, a four-nation project to develop a high-tech fighter jet for Europe’s defence, made a successful maiden flight.
1995: Mandela dismisses Winnie Mandela
South African President Nelson Mandela personally fired his estranged wife Winnie, an outspoken critic of his national unity government, from her position as deputy minister.
1995: Maurizio Gucci killed in Milan
Maurizio Gucci, former chairman of the Gucci luxury leather goods and fashion dynasty, was shot dead outside his office in Milan.
1996: Rabin assassin sentenced
An Israeli court jailed Yigal Amir for life for assassinating Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in November 1995.
2002: Death of Dudley Moore
Dudley Moore, British-born comedian who became one of Hollywood’s most unlikely sex symbols thanks to his starring role in the film “10,” died at 66.
2003: Hong Kong scientists identify virus strain
Scientists in Hong Kong said they had identified the virus behind a mystery pneumonia as a new strain from the family of coronaviruses, which are the second leading cause of colds in humans.
2003: NTT Docomo wristwatch-style phone shown in Tokyo
NTT Docomo’s wristwatch-style cell phone is displayed in Tokyo.
Which of these March 27 events do you find most significant?
