May 27 in History

1332 — Ibn Khaldun, Arab historian (a forerunner of the modern disciplines of historiography, sociology, economics and demography), is born in Tunis.

1564 — John Calvin (Jehan Cauvin), 54, a dominant figure in the development of the system of Christian theology (Calvinism), dies in Geneva. He fled France amid deadly violence against Protestant Christians.

1703 — Tsar Peter the Great founds St Petersburg as capital of Russia after reconquering the Ingrian land from Sweden in the Great Northern War.

1912 — Sam Snead, golfer (seven-time Major champion), is born in Ashwood, Virginia.

1912 — (Dr) Cedric Namedi Phatudi, chief minister of Lebowa (1973-87), is born in the district of Pietersburg.

1914 — The Hertzog Prize is instituted by the SA Academy for Science and Art; first won in 1915 by Totius for his poetry collection “Trekkerswee”.

1928 — Johan Heyns, professor of theology at the University of Pretoria and moderator of the general synod of the NG Kerk, is born in Tweeling, OFS.

1936 — The Queen Mary leaves Southampton, England, for NY on its maiden voyage.

1939 — Don Williams, country singer-songwriter, is born in Floydada, Texas.

1941 — The German battleship Bismarck is sunk off France by British naval and air forces with a loss of more than 2 000 lives.

1943 — Cilla Black, singer and actress, is born in Liverpool, England.

1946 — Danie Bosman, 39, composer (“Boereseun”, “Oom Bossie van die Bosveld”), dies in Cape Town.

1965 — Pat Cash, tennis player (1987 Wimbledon champion), is born in Melbourne, Australia.

1967 — Paul Gascoigne (Gazza), footballer, is born in Gateshead, England.

1973 — Tana Umaga, rugby player, is born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

1975 — Jamie Oliver, “The Naked Chef”, is born in Clavering, England.

1977 — Mahela Jayawardene, cricketer, is born in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

1977 — New York City fines “Human Fly” George Willig $1.10 — one penny for each of the 110 storeys of the WTC South Tower he scaled the day before.

1995 — Actor Christopher Reeve (“Superman”) is left quadriplegic when he is thrown from his horse during an equestrian event in Culpeper, Virginia.

1998 — Russia triples its interest rates to 150% to stave off a run on the ruble and to establish some economic stability.

2007 — Percy Sonn, 57, International Cricket Council president, dies in Cape Town.