November 27 Birthday
On November 27, 1978, Dan White entered San Francisco City Hall and shot Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. White was a former supervisor who had resigned and then wanted his job back. Milk was the first openly gay elected official in California. White used the "twinkie defense" — he claimed his mental state had been worsened by eating junk food — and was convicted of voluntary manslaughter rather than murder. The sentence sparked riots in the Castro district. White served five years and killed himself after release. Alfred Nobel signed his will on November 27, 1895, leaving 94% of his fortune — $190 million in today's money — to establish prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Nobel had invented dynamite and become rich from arms manufacturing. When his brother died and a French newspaper published an obituary for Alfred titled "The Merchant of Death Is Dead," Nobel was horrified by his legacy. The prizes were his attempt to be remembered for something other than destruction. People born on November 27 fall under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius. The birthstone is Topaz and the birth flower is Chrysanthemum. Historical events on November 27 include 1978: Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone assassinated in San Francisco City Hall, 1973: Senate confirms Gerald Ford as Vice President (replacing Agnew), 1895: Alfred Nobel signs his will establishing the Nobel Prizes. Famous people born on November 27 include Bruce Lee (1940), Caroline Kennedy (1957), Kathryn Bigelow (1951).