W.E.B. Du Bois was a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights, education, and social justice. His contributions to both the academic world and the Civil Rights Movement were immense. Du Bois was one of the first African Americans to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard, and he was a powerful voice against racial inequality. His work, including The Souls of Black Folk and his leadership in the founding of the NAACP, laid the foundation for many of the civil rights advances in the 20th century.

His decision to move to Ghana in the later years of his life reflected his disillusionment with the slow pace of racial progress in the U.S., and his strong belief in Pan-Africanism. His death in Accra symbolized his connection to the broader African diaspora.

On August 27, 1998, civil rights marchers gathered in Washington D.C. to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech, which he delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The 1998 march was organized to honor Dr. King’s legacy and continue advocating for racial equality, economic justice, and other civil rights issues that were central to his vision. The event also emphasized the ongoing fight for equality and the need for social and political change.

On August 27, 1991, a Florida circuit court judge ordered the liquidation of Central Life Insurance Company, the last surviving African American owned insurance company in the state of Florida. This action was part of the company’s inability to meet its financial obligations, which led to its insolvency. Liquidation of an insurance company is typically pursued when the company is unable to pay claims and does not have sufficient assets to meet its liabilities, ensuring the proper distribution of assets under the court’s supervision.

On August 27, 1989, Chuck Berry performed “Johnny B. Goode” for NASA engineers and scientists in celebration of Voyager 2’s encounter with Neptune. This performance took place at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. The song is famously featured on the Golden Record aboard the Voyager spacecraft, which was sent into space as part of the Voyager missions. The record was meant to represent the diversity of life and culture on Earth, and “Johnny B. Goode” was one of the chosen songs because of its representation of rock ‘n’ roll music, a key part of Earth’s cultural history. The performance by Chuck Berry was a symbolic gesture to honor the mission and its historic milestone in space exploration.

Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia passed away on August 27, 1975, under mysterious circumstances, though many regard his reign as one of significant importance in Ethiopian history and beyond. He was deeply committed to modernizing Ethiopia, implementing reforms to improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure. His leadership also saw efforts to end slavery in the country, which was officially abolished during his reign in the 1940s. On the international stage, Selassie was known for his advocacy for African unity and played a pivotal role in establishing the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.

His efforts to maintain Ethiopia’s sovereignty and resist foreign intervention, especially in the face of colonialism, also cemented his legacy. Haile Selassie was seen as a symbol of resistance, and he earned a significant following globally, including within the Rastafari movement, where he is considered a divine figure. His death marked the end of the imperial era in Ethiopia, and he was succeeded by a Marxist military regime that eventually led to the overthrow of the monarchy.

On August 27, 1949, Paul Robeson, the renowned African American singer, actor, and civil rights activist, was scheduled to perform at the Lakeland Picnic Grounds in Westchester County, NY. However, his appearance was marred by a violent disruption instigated by white individuals angered by his political views, particularly his outspoken stance on civil rights and his support for the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. Robeson was a vocal critic of racial injustice and had become a controversial figure because of his political beliefs, which led to hostility from various groups, including white supremacists and anti-communists.

The riot that day was triggered by a group of white men who attacked the event, throwing objects and disrupting the performance, which forced Robeson to cut his performance short. The incident highlighted the racial and political tensions of the time, particularly around issues of civil rights, and exemplified the ways in which Robeson’s activism and politics often put him at odds with mainstream America. Despite the disruption, Robeson remained committed to his principles, continuing his advocacy for racial equality and social justice throughout his career.