This Day That Year

October 27

in History

Constantine's Vision of the Cross — In this sign, an empire would be transformed
Near Rome, Roman EmpireClassical
312

Constantine's Vision of the Cross

In this sign, an empire would be transformed

On the eve of a battle that would decide the fate of Rome, Constantine the Great reportedly looked to the sky and saw a cross of light above the sun, accompanied by the words 'In this sign, conquer.' Whether divine revelation or political mythology, the vision would justify Constantine's embrace of Christianity and set the stage for the faith's triumph across the Roman world.

312 AD
New York Subway Opens — An underground city begins to breathe
New York City, USAEarly 20th Century
1904

New York Subway Opens

An underground city begins to breathe

Beneath the bustling streets of Manhattan, the first underground segment of the New York City Subway opened, connecting City Hall with Harlem. The Interborough Rapid Transit line transformed urban transportation, carrying passengers through tunnels that would become the arteries of the world's greatest city. Within decades, the subway would move millions daily.

1904 AD
Benjamin O. Davis Jr. — Benjamin O.
Late 20th Century
1954

Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

Benjamin O.

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. becomes the first African-American general in the United States Air Force.

1954 AD