Historical Events
- The British Army and the Irish Republican Army engage in gun battles near County Armagh; British troops fire over 1,000 rounds of ammunition
- Two Royal Ulster Constabulary officers shot dead by IRA in an attack on their patrol car in the Creggan Road, Derry
"Treemonisha"
World premiere of Scott Joplin's rediscovered opera "Treemonisha" at Morehouse College in Atlanta
Famous Birthdays
- Bryant Young, American football defensive tackle (San Francisco 49ers), born in Chicago Heights, Illinois
- Chad Askew, NFL wide receiver (NY Jets)
- Guillermo, Mexican-born American TV personality
- Janine Ilitch, Australian netballer
- Mark Lawrence, Canadian NHL right wing (Dallas Stars, NY Islanders), born in Burlington, Ontario
- Mark Owen, English pop singer (Take That - "Pray"; solo - "Four Minute Warning"), born in Oldham, Lancashire, England
Famous Deaths
Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972)
American gospel singer ("Whole World In His Hands"), dies of a heart failure at 60
- Richard Courant, German-American mathematician, dies at 84
Died in 1972 1972 Highlights
About January 27, 1972
Day of the Week: Thursday
How Long Ago? 52 years, 3 months and 5 days
Leap Year: Yes
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Aquarius
Music Charts
#1 Song: American Pie (Parts I & II) - Don McLean
#1 Song: I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony) - New Seekers
