July 27: The Day Van Gogh Shot Himself, French Revolution Began, and Longest Lunar Eclipse Occurred

July 27 holds historical significance, marked by pivotal events including the self-inflicted gunshot of artist Vincent van Gogh and the outbreak of the 1830 French Revolution.

On this day in 1890, the renowned Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh shot himself in the chest, succumbing to his injuries two days later at the age of 37. Van Gogh, who began his artistic career late at 27, created an astonishing volume of work in his final decade, producing around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings. Despite selling few works during his lifetime, his art profoundly influenced modern art movements, gaining widespread recognition posthumously.

Also on July 27, 1830, the "Three Glorious Days" of the July Revolution began in France. This insurrection led to the abdication of King Charles X and the ascension of Louis Philippe to the throne, ushering in the July Monarchy. The revolution was sparked by Charles X's restrictive ordinances, which clashed with the spirit of the 1814 Charter.

Further adding to the date's notable occurrences, July 27, 2018, witnessed the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century, captivating skygazers worldwide. The day also marks the 1940 debut of the iconic cartoon character Bugs Bunny.