This Day in History: August 27

2003 Mars Approaches Closest to the Earth Since 57,617 BC

This was the closest that Mars had been to the Earth since 57,617 BC. The two planets will not be this close again until the year 2287.

2003 World’s Biggest Battery is Plugged in

Fairbanks residents in Alaska welcomed a new addition that year. The world's largest battery was installed, weighing about 1,300 tons and taking up about 2,000 square meters of space. The massive storm provided emergency electricity to residents for around seven minutes.

1991 Moldova Gains its Independence

Moldova was a part of the Soviet Union since August 2, 1940. It was formed from parts of Romania and the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. However, in 1991 following the disintegration of the USSR, Moldova gained its independence and emerged as a sovereign nation.

1985 Military Coup in Nigeria

A major turn occurred in Nigeria's political scene when General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida overthrew Muhammadu Buhari in a bloodless coup, marking Babangida's rise as the nation's ruler.

1962 NASA Launches Mariner 2

That year, the Mariner 2 unmanned space probe took off as part of NASA’s Mariner program. Its Venus flyby on December 14, 1962, represented humanity's first mission to another planet. Its last contact with scientists on Earth occurred on January 3, 1963.

479 BC Battle of Mycale and Battle of Plataea Bring an End to Persian Invasion

Greek forces scored significant victories over Persian naval troops at Mycale and Plataea, halting the Persian invasion of Greece.

663 Battle Of Baekgang: Tang Chinese And Silla Korean Forces March To Victory

The forces belonging to Baekje Koreans and their Yamato Japanese allies fell before Tang Chinese and Silla Korean armies near the Geum River in Korea, ending the Japanese invasion for the next nine centuries.

1789 "Declaration Of Rights Of Man And Citizen" Issued By French National Assembly

In a historic move toward human rights recognition, French National Assembly issued the "Declaration Of Rights Of Man And Citizen".

Krakatoa Volcano Erupts In Indonesia, Causing Catastrophe

This tragic event involved an eruption with force equivalent to around 1300 megatons, leading to approximately forty-thousand casualties.