1. In 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces under the command of Admiral George Cockburn entered Washington, D.C. and set fire to many public buildings, including the White House and the Capitol.

2. On March 27, 1912, the Cherry Blossom Festival was first held in Washington, D.C. as a way to celebrate the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan to the United States.

3. On March 27, 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of his New Deal program. The CCC provided employment and work training for young men during the Great Depression, and many CCC camps were established in the District of Columbia.

4. On March 27, 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Reynolds v. Sims that state legislative districts must be apportioned based on population, as opposed to geographic or other factors. The decision had significant implications for redistricting and politics in the District of Columbia and across the country.

5. On March 27, 1977, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) opened its first rail line, the Red Line, connecting Silver Spring, Maryland to Farragut North in downtown Washington, D.C. The Metro system has since expanded to include six lines and 91 stations, and is an important transportation option for residents and visitors alike.