Today, April 27, 2023

1840… The foundation stone is laid in the Palace of Westminster, London, which today “hosts” the British Parliament.

1875… In Greece, Charilaos Trikoupis takes over the government of the country for the first time.

1908…. Opening ceremony of the 4th modern Olympic Games in London. They last 6 months until October 31 and hold the record for the longest duration. 1999 athletes and 36 athletes are participating.

1941… World War II: German troops enter Athens, followed by armored vehicles, tanks and infantry, marking the beginning of the period of Occupation.

The inhabitants of Athens had been waiting for the Germans to enter the city many days before and were locked in their houses with their windows closed.

The Germans immediately headed to the Acropolis and raised the Nazi flag.

In the morning the Athenian radio made an announcement to encourage the Greeks.

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…. On the same day, the Allies reject a peace proposal from SS leader Heinrich Himmler, insisting on Germany’s unconditional surrender.

1950… Britain officially recognizes the state of Israel.

1970… For the first time in the world, in a Paris hospital, a plutonium cardiac pacemaker is placed.

1981… The mouse, the “inseparable friend” of computers, makes its debut from Xerox PARC.

1992…. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is formed from the union of Serbia and Montenegro.

Births

On this day in 1791 Samuel Morse was born, American inventor and painter, creator of the telegraph and Morse signals and in 1906 the writer, George Theotokas

Deaths

On the same day in 1521, the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, was killed.

In 1864 Giannis Makrygiannis, a leading figure of the Greek Revolution, died and in 1941 the writer Penelope Delta, committed suicide with poisonin protest against the occupation of Athens by the Germans.