July 27

In the city of Naantali, a Finnish celebrity is chosen every year to be thrown in the sea from the city’s port at 7 a.m. The identity of the sleeper is kept secret until the event. People who are chosen have usually done something to the benefit of the city. Every city mayor has thus far been thrown to the sea at least once, but other sleepers have included the president Tarja Halonen’s husband, Dr Pentti Arajärvi, the CEO of Neste Oil Risto Rinne, along with many writers, artists and politicians. The celebrations continue into the evening in Naantali and include activities for people of every age.

Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal

K’inich Janaab’ Pakal I (March 24, 603–August 29, 683, age 80y 5m 5d), also known as Pacal, Pacal the Great, 8 Ahau and Sun Shield, was ajaw (“lord”, “ruler”, “king”, or “leader”) of the Maya city-state of Palenque in the Late Classic period of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican chronology. He acceded to the throne on July 27, 615 (age 12y 4m 3d) and ruled until his death. During a reign of 68 years 1 month 2 days—the fourth-longest verified regnal period of any sovereign monarch in history, the longest in world history for more than a millennium, and still the longest in the history of the Americas—Pakal was responsible for the construction or extension of some of Palenque’s most notable surviving inscriptions and monumental architecture. Pakal is perhaps best-known in popular culture for his depiction on the carved lid of his sarcophagus, which has become the subject of pseudoarchaeological speculations.

Born: Long Count: 9.8.9.13.0, Tzolkin: 8 Ahaw, Haab: 13 Pop^{1 2}, Gregorian: March 24, 603 CE³
Ascended: Long Count: 9.9.2.4.8, Tzolkin: 5 Lamat, Haab: 1 Mol, Gregorian: July 27, 615 CE⁴
Died: Long Count: 9.12.11.5.18, Tzolkin: 6 Etzʼnab, Haab: 11 Yax, Gregorian: August 29, 683 CE⁵

Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny’s classic catchphrases first appeared in A Wild Hare, released on July 27, 1940. The short film was Bugs’ debut in his final form and the first teaming up of Elmer and Bugs.

The New York Yankees’ Tommy John tied a Major League Baseball record set by the New York Giants’ James Bentley “Cy” Seymour in 1898: three error by the pitcher in one inning. However, John’s feat was the more impressive of the two—he made three errors on one play. In the fourth inning, Paul Molitor grounded out and John walked Jim Gantner. The next batter, Jeffrey Leonard, hit a weak dribbler to the left of the mound that John fumbled for error one. John picked up the ball and threw wide to first base for error two. Gantner went to third on the play and headed for home, but stopped as the ball was thrown in from right field. For some reason, John grabbed the relay throw and when he did, Gantner headed for home again. John spun around and threw wide to the catcher for error three. Gantner scored and Leonard, now on third, scored as the ball went into the Brewers’s dugout. John and Seymour are the only two pitchers in MLB history to make three errors in one inning. Yankees manager Lou Piniella remarked, “The ball rolled 15 feet and two runs scored.” Fortunately, John’s pitches for the night were a lot more accurate and the Yankees beat the Brewers 16–3 at Yankee Stadium.