1. On August 27, 1814, British troops burned down many buildings, including the White House and Capitol, in Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812.
2. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote. This momentous event occurred in Washington, D.C. on August 27 of that year.
3. The iconic Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 27, 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
4. On August 27, 1972, terrorists from the Palestinian Black September group took members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage at the Munich Olympics. The resulting conflict led to the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches.
5. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused widespread devastation in Louisiana and Mississippi, including in Washington, D.C. which served as a hub for rescue and aid efforts in the aftermath of the disaster. On August 27 of that year, several areas in Washington, D.C. hosted gatherings and events to raise funds for those affected by the hurricane.