October 27

Friday 27, 1995:

Stock markets around the world crash because of fears of a global economic meltdown. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummets 554.26 points to 7,161.15. For the first time, the New York Stock Exchange activated their "circuit breakers" twice during the day eventually making the controversial move of closing the Exchange early (see October 27, 1997 mini-crash).

Monday 27, 1958:

Iskander Mirza, the first President of Pakistan, is deposed in a bloodless coup d'état by General Ayub Khan, who was appointed the enforcer of martial law by Mirza 20 days earlier.

Tuesday 27, 1953:

British nuclear test Totem 2 is detonated at Emu Field, South Australia.

Wednesday 27, 1948:

Léopold Sédar Senghor founds the Senegalese Democratic Bloc (BDS).

Thursday 27, 1644:

Second Battle of Newbury in the English Civil War.