August 27

August 27 is the 239th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 127 days remaining until the end of the year.

Events

Pre-colonial period (before 1890)

• c. 1600 – Leya oral traditions note a solar eclipse witnessed by King Mukuni I, seen as a divine omen.
• 27 August 1878 – Records from Jesuit explorers confirm the arrival of Portuguese traders at Luena plains in present-day Western Province.

Colonial era (1890–1964)

• 27 August 1904 – British colonial administration in Barotseland issues first formal tax notices to village headmen.
• 27 August 1912 – Kasama designated a district capital for Northern Province by the British South Africa Company.
• 27 August 1923 – Rhodesia Railways connects Choma to Livingstone, opening up agricultural trade routes.
• 27 August 1939 – Colonial military command issues recruitment orders for Northern Rhodesian carriers in support of the British war effort.
• 27 August 1959 – Nationalist leader Harry Nkumbula placed under house arrest for alleged incitement during mass protests.
• 27 August 1963 – Kenneth Kaunda addresses African nationalist leaders in Lusaka, urging unity ahead of the Federation's dissolution.

Post-independence politics

• 27 August 1966 – Zambia signs its first formal diplomatic agreement with Tanzania, promoting the Tanzania-Zambia Railway concept.
• 27 August 1972 – President Kaunda announces the formation of the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to promote youth employment and national development.
• 27 August 1998 – Vice President Christon Tembo addresses Parliament on proposed changes to land reform policy.
• 27 August 2000 – Patriotic Front (PF) holds its inaugural national convention in Lusaka.
• 27 August 2021 – President Hakainde Hichilema appoints new provincial ministers, promising increased decentralisation and service delivery.

Legal and constitutional affairs

• 27 August 1974 – Government publishes draft Land (Conversion of Titles) Act.
• 27 August 1991 – Electoral Commission launches its first post-UNIP voter registration update.
• 27 August 2013 – Judiciary receives donor support for mobile court expansion in rural provinces.
• 27 August 2024 – Public debate begins on proposed constitutional amendment to strengthen parliamentary oversight on debt contraction.

Economy and labour

• 27 August 1955 – Federation-era authorities approve wage board reforms for African miners.
• 27 August 1975 – Industrial Relations Court rules in favour of dismissed Zambia Airways workers; reinstatement ordered.
• 27 August 2007 – Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) digitises tax clearance system.
• 27 August 2017 – Zambian Breweries announces record export of 10 million litres of beer to the Great Lakes region.
• 27 August 2023 – Lusaka Stock Exchange records a 3.2% rise in mining shares after positive export data.

Sports history

• 27 August 1988 – Zambia defeats Somalia 5–1 in a World Cup qualifier at Independence Stadium.
• 27 August 1997 – Kalusha Bwalya receives CAF Fair Play Award.
• 27 August 2010 – ZESCO United eliminates Uganda Revenue Authority FC in CAF Confederation Cup.
• 27 August 2022 – Women’s football star Rachael Kundananji named Zambian Sportswoman of the Year.

Arts and culture

• 27 August 1978 – “Chikwakwa Theatre” stages first play in Chichewa at UNZA’s Great East Road campus.
• 27 August 1993 – Launch of ZamRock Revival Week by National Arts Council.
• 27 August 2015 – Lusaka hosts the first “Zed LitFest” to promote local authors and publishers.
• 27 August 2024 – National Film Board announces production of historical drama Makeni Rebels based on real events.

Environment and climate

• 27 August 1999 – Wildfires burn through 6,000 hectares in Lukanga Swamps, triggering ecological concern.
• 27 August 2006 – Ministry of Environment launches Lusaka Clean City campaign.
• 27 August 2018 – Parliament ratifies SADC Protocol on Wildlife Conservation.
• 27 August 2025 – Zambia partners with UNESCO to map and register intangible heritage sites at risk from climate change.

Disasters and incidents

• 27 August 1983 – Bus collision on Kabwe-Kapiri stretch kills 32; national road safety audit ordered.
• 27 August 2004 – Stampede at a political rally in Chingola results in 6 fatalities.
• 27 August 2012 – Mine collapse in Chingola traps 9 illegal miners; only 3 rescued.
• 27 August 2020 – Fuel tanker overturns in Kafue; explosion narrowly averted by fire service.

Religion and missionary activity

• 27 August 1906 – London Missionary Society baptises first five Lozi converts in Mongu.
• 27 August 1967 – United Church of Zambia (UCZ) formally established from multiple Protestant missions.
• 27 August 2001 – Catholic-run St. Ignatius College in Lusaka opens science and IT laboratory.
• 27 August 2023 – Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia hosts national prayer breakfast for peaceful elections.

Sources and further reading

• National Archives of Zambia
• Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia archives
• Government Gazettes and Parliamentary Hansards
• FAZ historical match reports
• Zambia Meteorological and Environmental Agency
• National Arts Council and Broadcasting records