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The Year 1927 Major News Events in History

  1. The Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River opens
  2. Charles Lindbergh flies The Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic nonstop
  3. Henry Ford reveals the Ford Motor Company’s newest vehicle, the Model A
  4. The Jazz Singer opens marking the end of the silent film era.
  5. Earthquake measuring 8.6 on Richter scale strikes Xining, China
  6. Work begins on Mount Rushmore.
  7. Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) was created
  8. Striking miners from the Columbine Mine are massacred with machine gun fire
  9. The Great Mississippi Flood affects 700,000 people

More Detailed Information on each Event and those not included can be found below

What Happened in 1927 Important News and Events, Key Technology and Popular Culture

1927 Year In History including Major News Stories From the year include Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo flight across the Atlantic, Great Mississippi Flood, The Jazz Singer opens ending the era of Silent Movies, Work Began on Mount Rushmore Sculpture of Presidents ( George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln ) carved into Mount Rushmore,

United States -- Holland Tunnel

The Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River opens on November 13th connecting New York City with Jersey.

1. Tunnel consists of a pair of tubes, each providing two lanes.

2. Tunnel Connects New Jersey to New York City.

3. Tunnel Length approximately 2.55 miles Long.

4. Current Toll for a car is $8.00 for New Jersey to New York ( March. 2011 ).

5. Construction began at the corner of Canal Street and West Street March 31, 1922.

5. Holland Tunnel Opens on November 13

6. Named After Project Chief Engineer Clifford Milburn Holland.


United States -- Spirit of St. Louis

Charles Lindbergh flies The Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic nonstop and solo, direct from New York City to Paris, as the first solo transatlantic flight.

1. French-born New York Hotel Owner Raymond Orteig offers $25,000 Orteig Prize.

2. First successful nonstop flight made in either direction between NYC and Paris.

3. Six aviators lost their lives in pursuit of the Orteig Prize Prior To Lindbergh.

4. Charles Lindbergh's Plane was "The Spirit of St. Louis" built by Ryan Aeronautical Company.

5. The plane was a fabric covered, single-seat, single-engine "Ryan NYP" high wing monoplane.

5. Lindbergh took off in The Spirit of St. Louis from Roosevelt Airfield, Long Island, New York 6:52 AM EST on May 20 .

6. Arrives Le Bourget Aerodrome, Paris after 33 hours, 29 minutes 5:22 PM EST, May 21,

The feat of Charles Lindbergh was even more remarkable when you realize that 1 in every 2 pilots who attempted crossing the Atlantic was killed during the attempt. Governments around the world were looking at some form of Pilots License being implemented.


Part of 1920s Toys

3 wheel velocipedes

Columbia 3 Wheel Velocipedes

Price: From $8.98

Columbia 3 Wheel Velocipedes ( Tricycle ), features include bicycle bell, adjustable handle bars, padded leather saddle with coil springs, tubular steel frame, ball bearing wheels and bicycle spokes. Through to the late 50s the word Velocipede / Bicycle or Bike were used to describe human-powered vehicles with one or more wheels it very much depended on who the manufacturer was, towards the late 1950's Tricycle and Bike / Bicycle were used much more in advertising and now it would be hard to find an add for a Velocipede.


Part of 1927 Fashion Accessories

Clara Bow Hats 1927

Clara Bow Hats

Price: 95 cents each

Misses and young women delight in this snug fitting mode. So light in weight it conforms perfectly to your head. Made of extra fine quality millinery felt. Neatly tailored with machine stitching and tucks. Fancy, contrasting cutout designs of felt trim either side.



United States -- Ford Model A

Henry Ford reveals the Ford Motor Company’s newest vehicle, the Model A, during December. In May of that year Ford announced that all production of their famous Model T had ended and that all factories would be dedicated to creating a more innovative and exciting vehicle. Ranging in price from $500 to $1,200, the Model A debuted with 7 different body types and was available in 4 different colors. Its new features included a safety glass windshield, 4-wheel brakes, and hydraulic shock absorbers. It was also the first to feature the iconic blue oval logo badge. They reportedly sold over 400,000 vehicles in the first 2 weeks after its debut.


Canada -- Peace Bridge Opening

The official ceremony for the opening of the Peace Bridge connecting Canada to the United States was held on August 7. Located just a few miles away from Niagara Falls, the bridged spanned 5,800 feet across the Niagara River and connected Buffalo, New York in the United States to Fort Erie, Ontario in Canada. Construction on the three-lane bridge began in 1925 and was overseen by engineer Edward Lupfer with a budget of $4.5 million. By March the bridge was completed and in June it was opened to the public prior to its official dedication.


United States -- The Jazz Singer

The Jazz Singer opens October 6 News Events and becomes a huge success, marking the end of the silent film era.

The first film to feature synchronized dialogue, "The Jazz Singer" debuts in New York City during October . The movie features Al Jolson, a popular Broadway performer and singer, in the lead role of "Jack Robin" The story focuses on Robin's struggles with his cultural identity while pursuing a career in entertainment. The film is credited with ushering in the age of "Talkies" as silent films became less popular and technology advanced. It is also ranked as one of the most notable American films.


China -- Xining Earthquake

Earthquake measuring 8.6 on Richter scale strikes Xining, China killing 200,000

1. Earthquake Measuring 8.6 on Richter scale strikes Xining on May 22,

2. Lives Lost exceeded 200,000 making it one of the ten most deadly earthquakes in history.


United States -- Mount Rushmore

Work begins on Mount Rushmore.

1. Sculpture of 4 U.S. Presidents carved into Mount Rushmore.

2. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln

3. Mount Rushmore is composed of smooth, fine-grained granite.

4. Work Began On October 4th ,

5. Work Completed on October 31st, 1941.


USA -- First Lockheed Vega

The Lockheed Aircraft Company introduced the first Vega monoplane during July. The Vega became a favorite plane of early pilots who were looking to set records as it was designed to be sturdy and safe while also being lightweight and fast. The 6-seat plane was designed by Jack Northrup who would go on to found several aircraft companies and would later work for the Douglas Aircraft Company. Some of the famous aviators known for using Vega planes to accomplish their feats and set records included Amelia Earhart, Wiley Post, and Charles Lindbergh.


USA -- Columbia Broadcasting System

The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) was created during September. The company was created by former talent agent Arthur Judson and was originally a radio network. The network’s first president was William S. Paley. Under Paley’s direction the network quickly grew into one of the most popular radio networks in the country. CBS began experimenting with television in the 1930s but would not be able to develop it more until the late 1940s after the end of World War II.


Part of our 1927 Fashion Collection Page

Plaid Jacket and Tweed Knickers 1927

Plaid Jacket with Tweed Knickers

Price: $2.98 - $4.95

Tailored knickers in your choice of fine quality all wool tweed or sturdy Hill's Khaki Jean cloth. All wool plaid flannel, lumberjack style sport blouse, convertible collar, cuffs, hip band and trimmings of all wool worsted yarn.


Technology

First transatlantic telephone call - New York City to London.

Ford Motor Company ceases manufacturing the Model T after making 15 million cars.

Ford begins selling the Model A with several body styles and prices start at $460.

Pan American Airways is formed.

Inventions / Inventors / Country (or attributed to first use)

Color Television -- Scotland -- John Logie Baird

Talking Pictures

Videophone -- USA

Pop-Up Toaster -- Charles Strite

Quartz Time-Keeping -- Switzerland -- Hans Wilsdorf from England


United States -- Nixon v. Herndon

1. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the Nixon v. Herndon case during March .

2. In the case, the Supreme Court declared a Texas law that prohibited black voters from participating in the state’s primary elections to be unconstitutional.

3. The court stated that the Texas law violated the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

4. The vote was unanimous, and Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes delivered the opinion.

5. However, the ruling was not particularly effective and the state passed a new law that maintained the white primary system, circumventing the verdict.

6. The white only primary system would not be fully dismantled until 1944 with the Smith v. Allwright Supreme Court decision.


Russia -- Joseph Stalin takes control

Leon Trotsky is expelled from the Communist Party and Joseph Stalin takes control.

More Information and Timeline For Leon Trotsky

1. Trotsky was one of the leaders of the Russian October Revolution (1917).

2. Commissar for Foreign Affairs and Brest-Litovsk (1917 to 1918).

3. Trotsky expelled from the Communist Party and Joseph Stalin takes control (1927).

4. Trotsky was deported from the Soviet Union in February 1929 .

5. He was taken in by Mexico in 1937.

6. He wrote a number of books while in exile criticizing Stalinism.

7. Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico, by Ramón Mercader, a Soviet agent March 13th, 1940.


United States -- Great Mississippi Flood

The Great Mississippi Flood affects 700,000 people in the greatest national disaster in US history.

1. Heavy Rain began in the late summer, a year before in 1926.

2. On April 15th, 15 inches of rain fell in 18 hours.

3. April 15th, the Mississippi River broke out of its levee system at 145 locations.

4. Water flooded an area of twenty-seven thousand square miles.

5. States affected included AR, IL, KY, LA, MS, MO, TN, TX, OK and KS.

6. Worst affected was Arkansas, 14% of the state was flooded.

7. Following the disaster the Flood Control Act of 1928 created the world's longest system of levees.


United States -- Columbine Mine

Striking miners from the Columbine Mine are massacred with machine gun fire at Serene.

1. Columbine Mine is in Serene, Colorado.

2. Miners Began Strike 5 weeks earlier at coal mines in the state of Colorado.

3. Strikers and their wives arrive at the north gate on November 21st on route to the town for a morning rally.

4. The Head of the Colorado Rangers, Louis Scherf tells strikers are not allowed into town.

5. Strike leader Adam Bell stepped forward and asked that the gate be unlocked.

6. When the gate was kept locked, the miners forced their way through the wooden gate.

7. Miners are fired on by machine guns leaving six strikers dead and many more injured.


Canada -- Laurier Palace Theatre fire

78 children are killed during The Laurier Palace Theatre fire on January 9th in Montreal, Canada when they die in the stampede or are asphyxiated.

1. The Laurier Palace Theatre was a small movie theatre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

2. 800 children were watching an afternoon matinee movie called Get 'Em Young.

3. 78 children died in the tragedy 12 were crushed, 64 asphyxiated; only 2 died from the fire itself.


1927 Cost Of Living Guide To How How Much things cost

A child's toy steam engineToy Steam Engine $3.98

Not everybody had electricity so these hand cranked washing machines were still sold

Manual Washing Machine $15.95

For city dwellers who had electricity an Electric Washing Machine

Electric Washing Machine $79.00

Other Camera's were available but the box brownie was still popular

Kodak Box Brownie Camera $2.29

The astounding thing about this Radio was the price (about $1,000 in today's money)

Radio Receiver $74.95

1920's Ranges were not only used for cooking but a form of heating so were left on all day

Wood Fired Kitchen Range $69.85


Popular Cuture

The Jazz Singer opens October 6th and becomes a huge success, marking the end of the silent film era.

Music from Gene Austin, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Ruth Etting, and George Olsen is popular.

The iconic "Flapper Girl" and silent film star, Clara Bow, continues to be a fixture in movies making an appearance in Wings, It, Children of Divorce, and Hula.

Born This Year in 1927

Roger Moore -- October 14th

Andy Williams -- December 3rd

Gina Lollobrigida -- July 4th

Pope Benedict XVI -- April 16th

Part of 1920s Cars

1923 Maxwell Club Sedan 1923 Maxwell Club Sedan
Price: $1,045

1923 Maxwell Club Sedan includes many features found in autos at twice the price including windscreen cleaner and visor, disc wheels and non skid cord tires, rear vision mirror, heaters and rear passengers foot rail,


China -- Chinese Attack on Foreign Shipping

China attacks foreign ships approaching Chinese waters.

1. Autumn Harvest Uprising Begins in China led by Mao Zedong.

2. Chinese gun batteries begin attacking British and US shipping.

3. British warships attack and disable the Chinese gun batteries.


United States -- Distinguished Flying Cross Medal

Charles Lindbergh is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal in June.

Groundbreaking aviator Charles Lindbergh was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal in the first ever presentation of the honor during June . Lindbergh received the award for completing the very first transatlantic solo flight from New York to Paris during the previous month. United States President Calvin Coolidge presented the honor to Lindbergh in Washington D.C. Future well-known recipients of the medal would include George H.W. Bush, Amelia Earhart, Alan Shepard, Wiley Post, Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell.


United States -- Silent Film "It" Released

The silent film "It" was released to the general public during February . The film starred Clara Bow, the embodiment of the modern Flapper girl, and was a success with critics and the public. "It" turned the very young Clara Bow from a movie star into a legend. She was known from then on as "The It Girl" and the phrase became a fixture of public vocabulary, used to describe a woman with a mysteriously attractive quality that cannot be defined. The movie, a romantic comedy, was later selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.


Germany -- Silent Film "Metropolis" Released

The cult classic silent film “Metropolis” debuted in Berlin during January . The German science fiction film’s plot revolved around a futuristic Utopian city where all was not as it seemed and it was directed by Fritz Lang. The movie was not well-received with critics at the time and H.G. Wells, master of science fiction writing, wrote a long and cutting negative review of the film a few months after its release. The film has since gained a cult following and many now consider it a cutting-edge film during the time it was created.


UK -- Influenza Epidemic

In Britain, a 1000 people a week die from influenza epidemic.


Calendar For The Year 1927

1927 Calendar


Major World Political Leaders

Australia - - Prime Minister - - Stanley Bruce

Brazil - - President - - Washington Luís

Canada - - Prime Minister - - William Lyon Mackenzie King

Italy - - Prime Minister - - Benito Mussolini

Japan - - Prime Minister - - Reijir Wakatsuki - - Until April 20th

Japan - - Prime Minister - - Giichi Tanaka - - From 20 April

Mexico - - President - - Plutarco Elías Calles

Russia / Soviet Union - - General Secretary of the Central Committee - - Joseph Stalin

South Africa - - Prime Minister - - James Barry Munnik Hertzog

United States - - President - - Calvin Coolidge

United Kingdom - - Stanley Baldwin

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