June 27th

1847 - New York and Boston were linked by telegraph wires.

1871 - The yen became the new form of currency in Japan.

1893 - The New York stock market crashed. By the end of the year 600 banks and 74 railroads had gone out of business.

1918 - Two German pilots were saved by parachutes for the first time.

1924 - Democrats offered Mrs. Leroy Springs for vice presidential nomination. She was the first woman considered for the job.

1927 - The U.S. Marines adopted the English bulldog as their mascot.

1955 - The state of Illinois enacted the first automobile seat belt legislation.

1957 - More than 500 people were killed when Hurricane Audrey hit the coastal area of Louisiana and Texas.

1964 - Ernest Borgnine and Ethel Merman were married. It only lasted 38 days.

1980 - U.S. President Carter signed legislation reviving draft registration.

1985 - Officials decertified Route 66.

1995 - Actor Hugh Grant was arrested in Los Angeles for engaging in "lewd behavior" with a prostitute in a rented BMW.