March 27 is the 86th day of the year in common years and the 87th day in leap years according to the Gregorian calendar. Regardless of leap status, there are 279 days remaining in the year after March 27. The date usually falls in the northern hemisphere's early spring and the southern hemisphere's early autumn.

Calendar details and seasonal context

Because leap years add an extra day in February, the ordinal number of March 27 shifts by one in those years. Astronomically and meteorologically, March 27 typically lies within the astrological sign of Aries (March 21–April 19). Its relation to religious observances such as Easter is variable: Easter is a movable feast, so March 27 can fall before, during, or after Holy Week depending on the year.

Observances

  • World Theatre Day — celebrated internationally on March 27, established by the International Theatre Institute in 1961 to promote the value of theatre arts.
  • Various local and religious commemorations — many communities mark saints' days or civic anniversaries that recur on this fixed date.

Notable historical events

Over the centuries a number of significant events have occurred on March 27. Examples commonly cited in histories include the 1964 Alaska earthquake, often called the Good Friday earthquake, a major seismic event that struck southern Alaska, and the 1977 Tenerife airport disaster, when two passenger jets collided on a runway, becoming one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history.

Notable births

Many public figures were born on March 27. Widely known examples include filmmaker Quentin Tarantino (born 1963) and singer-songwriter Mariah Carey (born 1970). The date has also been the birthday of scientists, politicians, artists and athletes across eras.

Distinguishing facts and usage

March 27 is a fixed calendar date used for anniversaries and scheduling. For research, historical timelines and annual observances, it is helpful to note whether the year in question was a leap year—see general information about leap years—because ordinal positions shift. When summarizing events tied to March 27, sources often indicate the year to avoid confusion with other occasions that fall close in late March.