- History of Today
- Posts
- What happened on April 27th?
What happened on April 27th?
A breakthrough in user control reshaped the future of computing
Matthew Jones
April 27, 2025
1981 Xerox PARC Introduces the First Personal Computer Mouse
On December 9, 1981, Xerox PARC unveiled the first personal computer mouse, a groundbreaking invention that transformed the way users interacted with computers. The device allowed for easier navigation and control of graphical user interfaces, paving the way for modern computing. This innovation played an important role in the development of personal computers, influencing both the software and hardware industries.
This photo shows a Xerox rolling ball mouse. It was used with Xerox Alto computers, which were pioneering graphical user interface (GUI) machines developed at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center).
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on April 27:
2014 — Pope John Paul II was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI, recognizing his contributions to the Catholic Church and his role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.
1992 — Betty Boothroyd was elected as the first female Speaker of the House of Commons in the UK, breaking a 700-year run of male leadership.
1961 — Sierra Leone became an independent republic, ending over 150 years of British colonial rule.
1521 — Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in a battle with locals on Mactan Island, Philippines, during his circumnavigation of the globe.
1296 — King Edward I of England invaded Scotland, removing the Stone of Scone and taking it to Westminster Abbey as a symbol of dominance.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On April 27, we’re singing to:
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759) — English philosophical author and feminist best known for her groundbreaking work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, advocating for women’s education and equality.
Samuel F. B. Morse (1791) — American artist and inventor credited with inventing the telegraph and co-developing Morse code, subsequently revolutionizing long-distance communication.
Herbert Spencer (1820) — British philosopher known for his work in evolutionary theory and social philosophy, coining the phrase "survival of the fittest."
Ulysses S. Grant (1822) — 18th president of the United States and Union general during the Civil War, who lead the North to victory and later oversaw Reconstruction.
Coretta Scott King (1927) — American civil rights activist and wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., instrumental in advancing racial equality and social justice.
Willem-Alexander (1967) — King of the Netherlands who ascended to the throne in 2013, known for his efforts to modernize the monarchy and focus on social issues.
🪦Who Died Today?
On April 27, we’re saying goodbye to:
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1882) — American author, philosopher, and poet known for his transcendentalist works, including Self-Reliance and Nature.
How Am I Doing?
What do you think of the History of Today?Let me know what you think so I can be better 😀 |