Hollywood socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, on trial for slapping a police officer, storms out of the courtroom in the middle of the district attorney’s closing argument.

Rachel Carson’s watershed work Silent Spring is first published on September 27, 1962.

Sylvia Pankhurst, British suffragette and international socialist, dies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the age of 78.

On September 27, 1940, the Axis powers are formed as Germany, Italy and Japan become allies with the signing of the Tripartite Pact in Berlin.

On September 27, 1939, 140,000 Polish troops are taken prisoner by the German invaders as Warsaw surrenders to Hitler’s army.

The steam engine Locomotion No. 1 took passengers for a ride on this day – the first in the world to do so and, for at least one person, at frightening speed.

In Rome, the Society of Jesus—a Roman Catholic missionary organization—receives its charter from Pope Paul III.

On September 27, 622, the prophet Muhammad completes his Hegira, or “flight,” from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution.