On Sept. 27, 1779, John Adams was named to negotiate the Revolutionary War’s peace terms with Britain.
In 1854 the first great disaster involving an Atlantic Ocean liner occurred when the steamship Arctic sank, claiming 300 lives.
In 1938 the British ocean liner Queen Elizabeth was launched.
In 1939 Warsaw surrendered to the Germans after 19 days of resistance during World War II.
In 1954 “The Tonight Show” made its debut on NBC television, hosted by Steve Allen.
In 1964 the Warren Commission issued a report concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald had acted alone in assassinating President John F. Kennedy in Dallas.
In 1973 the Soviet Union launched its first manned spacecraft in two years, an improved Soyuz carrying two cosmonauts.
In 1979 Congress gave final approval to creation of the Education Department.
In 1982, in an address to the United Nations, the president of Brazil predicted a worldwide depression unless international trade and loans were made more accessible to poorer nations.
In 1985 Hurricane Gloria scraped the Atlantic Seaboard, causing blackouts on Long Island and along the Connecticut coast and leaving three people dead.
In 1993 Bo Jackson hit a three-run homer as the White Sox defeated Seattle 4-2 at Comiskey Park to clinch their first division crown in 10 years.
