1927

Optimism is running at an all-time high. Tin Pan Alley's Irving Berlin sums it
 up in a song, written for a Broadway show, Betsy, premiering this year.

 Blue Skies
 Blue skies smilin' at me  * Nothin' but blue skies do I see
 Bluebirds singin' a song  * Nothin' but bluebirds all day long
 I never saw the sun shinin' so bright * Never saw things goin' so right
 Noticin' the days hurryin' by * When you're in love, my how they fly
 Blue days all of them gone * Nothin' but blue skies from now on

 (C) 1927 Irving Berlin







Governors Alfred E. Smith of New York (fifth from left) and Harry Moore of New Jersey (fourth from left) with tunnel commissioners and other officials at the New York-New Jersey border, far beneath the Hudson River, upon the dedication of the Holland Tunnel on November 12, 1927.

Photo by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
January 27
Transatlantic telephone service connects New York and London. The new technology, while a major breakthrough, is expensive with rates at approximately $45 for a 3-minute call.

May 21
Charles A. Lindbergh lands in Paris, France, completes first solo flight across the Atlantic.

September 14
Isadora Duncan, famed dancer, is killed by her scarf in a bizarre automobile accident.

September 22
Dempsey-Tunney II, arguably the most famous fight in boxing history, draws a gate of $2,658,660 (about $22 million in today's dollars) at Chicago's Soldier Field. Despite pummeling Tunney during the first six rounds, Dempsey loses the decision, in part because of a long ten count when Dempsey ignores a referree’s instructions to retire to a neutral corner after knocking Tunney down in Round 7. The "Long Count" helps Tunney recover and he evades Dempsey for the remainder of the round. He floors Dempsey in Round 8 and easily dominates the remainder of the 10-round bout. After the fight, Dempsey lifted Tunney's arm in salute and says, "You were best. You fought a smart fight, kid." Dempsey then retired with a 64-6-9 record. He lost about $3 million in the stock market crash, but recovered enough to become one of the most popular -- and gentlemanly -- restaurant owners in New York City.

September 30
Babe Ruth hits 60th homerun of the season. His record will stand for thirty-four years.

October 6
Al Jolson wows audiences with "The Jazz Singer," the first "talky."

October 28
Pan American Airways launches world's first scheduled international passenger flight: Key West to Havana, in an unbelievable 70 minutes.

November 6
Flooding in New England causes 150 deaths.

November 12
Holland Tunnel opens, connecting Jersey City and lower Manhattan.
See photos, above and right.

Also in 1927:

First public demonstration of long distance transmission of television signal. Can microwave popcorn be far behind?

Formal opening of telephone service between the US and Mexico, and also, Mexico-London, via New York.

Duke Ellington and his Orchestra become the resident band at New York City's Cotton Club, in Harlem.

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