Helen Keller Day, observed on June 27, celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Helen Keller—an author, activist, and advocate for people with disabilities. Born in 1880 and left deaf and blind by illness, Keller overcame immense challenges to become a symbol of perseverance and progress. The day honors her achievements in education, disability rights, and social justice. Helen Keller Day encourages awareness, accessibility, and the belief that determination can break down any barrier.
Daily Calendar for Saturday, June 27, 2026
Daily Calendar
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Saturday, June 27, 2026
Ember Days happen four times a year at the start of each season. Traditionally observed by some Christian denominations, each set of Ember Days is three days, kept on a successive Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
These three days are set apart for fasting, abstinence, and prayer. The first of these four times comes in winter, after the Feast of St. Lucia, December 13; the second set comes with the First Sunday in Lent; the third set comes after Whitsunday/Pentecost Sunday; the four and last set comes after the Feast of the Holy Cross. Their dates can be remembered by this old mnemonic:
“Sant Crux, Lucia, Cineres, Charismata Dia Ut sit in angaria quarta sequens feria.”
Which means:
“Holy Cross, Lucy, Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, are when the quarter holidays follow.”
In Latin, Ember Days are known as the quattuor anni tempora (the “four seasons of the year”). Folklore has it that the weather on each of the three days foretells the weather for three successive months.
As with much folklore, this is grounded in some common sense since the beginning of the four seasons cue the changes in weather as well as a shift in how we keep harmony with the Earth and respect our stewardship of the Earth, our “garden of Eden.”“
Died
- James Smithson (English chemist died willing $550,000 to the US for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men) –
- Joseph Smith (religious leader; organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) –
- Jack Lemmon (American actor; died in Los Angeles, California) –
- John Entwistle (musician) –
- Shelby Foote (Civil War historian and novelist) –
- Don Grady (actor) –
- Michael Bond (children’s writer) –
Born
- Mildred J. Hill (composer of song Happy Birthday to You”“) –
- Paul Laurence Dunbar (American poet) –
- Helen Keller (author, lecturer) –
- Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) –
- Ross Perot (businessman) –
- Vera Wang (designer) –
- J. J. Abrams (television writer & producer) –
- Tobey Maguire (actor) –
- Drake Bell (actor) –
- Madylin Sweeten (actress) –
Events
- First traffic law in U.S. passed, New Amsterdam (N.Y.C.) –
- Liberty Bell returned from Allentown to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania –
- First flight of XB-19 bomber –
- Following North Korea’s invasion of South Korea two days earlier, U.S. President Harry Truman ordered American forces to join in South Korea’s defense. –
- First state law requiring that cars be equipped with seat belts passed in Illinois –
- Chlorophyll-A first synthesized, Cambridge, Massachusetts –
- Joseph Walker flew X-15 at Mach 5.92 (4,104 mph) –
- Kmart trademark registered –
- Entertainment duo Sonny and Cher called it quits as husband and wife (divorce final this day) –
- Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing –
- Bill passed making O Canada national anthem of Canada –
Weather
- It rained fish at Tiller’s Ferry, South Carolina, after a heavy shower –
- Fort Yukon, Alaska, reached 100 degrees F –
- Hurricane Audrey smashed ashore at Cameron Parish, Louisiana, 390 drowned in storm tide –