What Happened On November 27th?

The Assassination of Harvey Milk and George Moscone (1978)

November 27, 1978 stands as a somber date in the history of San Francisco and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. On this tragic day, two public servants—Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, and Mayor George Moscone—were assassinated in the hallowed halls of San Francisco City Hall.

These tragic shootings create a dark chapter in American history, shaking the foundations of political and social progress. Today is a day for us to reflect on the day Harvey Milk and George Moscone were assassinated and the lasting impact of their untimely deaths.

The Day Alfred Nobel Signed His Last Will (1895)

On November 27, 1895, in Paris, Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and a prominent Swedish chemist, signed his last will and testament, outlining his wishes for the disposition of his vast fortune. Little did he know that this act would lay the foundation for one of the most prestigious international honors—the Nobel Prizes.

In his last will and testament, Nobel bequeathed the majority of his wealth to establish the Nobel Prizes, a set of prestigious awards recognizing outstanding contributions to humanity in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine or Physiology, Literature, and Peace. The prizes were to be awarded annually, and Nobel’s vision was to honor those who had made significant advancements in these areas.

Ross McWhirter: A Day of a Resilient Activist’s Passing (1975)

Today on this day, the world was shocked by the tragic news of the assassination of Ross McWhirter, a tireless activist, author, and co-founder of the Guinness Book of Records. Ross McWhirter’s commitment to various causes, including anti-terrorism efforts, had made him a well-known figure, and his untimely death marked a dark day in the fight against extremism.

During the 1970s, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) conducted a series of bombings and attacks in the United Kingdom. Ross McWhirter took a vocal stance against terrorism and became involved in exposing and combating the activities of the IRA. His commitment to this cause made him a target for extremist elements seeking to silence his activism.