These historical events took place on April 27th:
1861: The United States President Abraham Lincoln suspends writ of habeas corpus in the Civil War. As well, West Virginia secedes from the Union during the war.
1865: Steamboat “SS Sultana” explodes in the Mississippi River, killing up to 1,800 of the 2,427 passengers in the greatest maritime disaster in United States history. Most were paroled Union POWs on their way home.
1877: The nineteenth president of the Rutherford B. Hayes removes Federal troops from Louisiana, and the reconstruction ends.
1911: Following the resignation and death of William P. Frye, a compromise is reached to rotate the office of President pro tempore, for the time being, of the United States Senate.
1964: John Lennon’s book of poetry and sketches “In His Own Write” is published in United States.
1982: Trial of John Hinckley begins for the attempted assassination of United States President Ronld Reagan.
1986: Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields’ musical “Sweet Charity” starring Gwen Verdon, opens at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City as it runs for 368 performances, and wins a Tony Award for choreographer Bob Fosse.
1987: United States Justice Department bars Austrian Chancellor Kurt Waldheim from entering the United States, due to his aid of Nazi Germany during WW II.