1. On February 27, 1844, the Dominican Republic gained independence from Haiti. Although this event did not occur in Massachusetts, the state has a significant Dominican population and celebrated this occasion with cultural events and parades.

2. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) held its first public hearing on February 27, 1961. The MBTA was created to provide a comprehensive public transportation system for the Greater Boston area.

3. On February 27, 1756, Benjamin Franklin published his famous political cartoon "Join or Die" in the Pennsylvania Gazette. The cartoon depicted a snake cut into sections, each representing a colony, and urged colonial unity in the face of the French and Indian War.

4. On February 27, 1860, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech at Boston’s Cooper Union that propelled him to the forefront of the Republican Party and helped secure his nomination for president. The speech was later published as a pamphlet and widely distributed throughout the country.

5. On February 27, 1922, the legendary jazz pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington made his first recording with his band, The Washingtonians. The recording included the songs "Choo Choo" and "Rainy Nights." Ellington went on to become one of the most important figures in jazz history.