August 27: Independence Day in Moldova (1991)Chief Black Hawk1776 British forces led by William Howe defeated the Continental Army under George Washington at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War.1810 Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy defeated the Royal Navy, preventing them from capturing the harbour of Grand Port on Mauritius.1832 Black Hawk (pictured), the leader of the Sauk tribe of Native Americans, surrendered to U.S. authorities to end the Black Hawk War.1979 The Troubles: the IRA ambushed and killed 18 British soldiers near Warrenpoint, and assassinated Lord Mountbatten on his boat at Mullaghmore.1990 American musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the most influential guitarists in the revival of blues in the 1980s, was killed in a helicopter crash.EricIII of Denmark (d.1146)Francisco de Zurbarn (d.1664)Giorgio Mitrovich (b.1795)Sebastian Kurz (b.1986)More anniversaries: August 26August 27August 28ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout