February 27th
1844
Dominican Republic gained independence from Haiti.
1912
The New York Yankees announced that they would be wearing pinstripes on their uniforms.
1933
Germany's parliament building in Berlin, the Reichstag, caught fire. The Nazis, blaming the Communists, used the fire as a pretext to suspend civil liberties.
1951
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, limiting the President to two terms.
1973
Members of the American Indian Movement occupied the village of Wounded Knee, S.D.
1974
People magazine is published for the first time.
1991
Kuwait was liberated in the Gulf War.
1997
Divorce became legal in Ireland.
2003
Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, died at age 74.
2008
Author and conservative commentator William F. Buckley Jr. died at age 82.
Birthdays
77 Elizabeth Taylor Actress
75 Ralph Nader Consumer advocate
55 Neal Schon Rock musician (Journey)
52 Adrian Smith Rock musician (Iron Maiden)
48 James Worthy Basketball Hall of Famer
47 Adam Baldwin Actor
47 Grant Show Actor ("Melrose Place")
38 Chilli R&B singer (TLC)
31 Shonna Tucker Country musician (Drive-By Truckers)
29 Chelsea Clinton Daughter of Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton
28 Josh Groban Singer
75 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 2/27/1807 - 3/24/1882 American poet
66 John Steinbeck 2/27/1902 - 12/20/1968 American Nobel Prize-winning novelist
71 Irwin Shaw 2/27/1913 - 5/16/1984 American playwright, novelist and screenwriter