December 27

in History

Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey)Medieval

537

Hagia Sophia Inaugurated

The dome that changed architecture forever

Emperor Justinian I inaugurated the rebuilt Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, a structure so magnificent that he reportedly exclaimed, 'Solomon, I have surpassed thee.' The church's revolutionary pendentive dome created the world's largest interior space, a feat of engineering that would stand for nearly a thousand years. From church to mosque to museum and back, Hagia Sophia endures as humanity's architectural triumph.

537 AD

Hans Stuck Born — Speed ran in the family blood

Warsaw, PolandEarly 20th Century

1900

Hans Stuck Born

Speed ran in the family blood

In Warsaw, Poland, Hans Stuck was born with racing fuel in his veins. He would become one of Germany's premier racing drivers, competing in the great Grand Prix events of the 1930s. His passion for motorsport was so deep it became hereditary: his son Hans-Joachim and grandsons Johannes and Ferdinand all followed him onto the racetrack.

1900 AD

1979–1989 armed conflict in South AsiaLate 20th Century

1979

Soviet–Afghan War

Soviet–Afghan War: Soviet troops stormed Tajbeg Palace outside Kabul and killed Afghan president Hafizullah Amin and his 100–150 elite guards.

The Soviet–Afghan War took place in Afghanistan from December 1979 to February 1989. Marking the beginning of the 47-year-long Afghan conflict, it saw the Soviet Union and the Afghan military fight against the rebelling Afghan mujahideen, aided by Pakistan.

1979 AD