May 27: 1997 Texas Tornado Outbreak
- The central Texas town of Jarrell experienced unimaginable devastation on this day in 1997.
- Petersburg as Russia's new capital, marking a pivotal moment in the country's history.
- 1930: Richard Gurley Drew secured a patent for adhesive tape, later commercialized by 3M as Scotch tape, a household staple.
On May 27, 1997, a monstrous F5 tornado ravaged Jarrell, Texas, claiming 27 lives, a heartbreaking reminder of nature’s might. This deadly tornado, half a mile wide, serves as a stark lesson in the importance of preparedness. Beyond this tragedy, News directory 3 explores other significant historical events of the same date, including the founding of St. petersburg in 1703, the opening of the golden Gate Bridge in 1937, and other pivotal moments. Discover what’s next in this day of historical reflection.
On This Day: Jarrell, Texas, Tornado Struck in 1997
Updated May 27, 2025
The central Texas town of Jarrell experienced unimaginable devastation on this day in 1997. A powerful F5 tornado, half a mile wide, tore through the community, leaving 27 dead, including
an entire family of five. The deadly tornado remains a stark reminder of nature’s
destructive force.
killing 27 people. Photo courtesy of the National Weather Service
In other historical events on this day:
1703: Czar Peter the Great established St. Petersburg as Russia’s new capital, marking a pivotal moment
in the country’s history.
1930: Richard Gurley Drew secured a patent for adhesive tape, later commercialized by 3M as Scotch
tape, a household staple.
1937: San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public. An estimated 200,000 people
thronged to cross the bridge on its first day.
1941: The German battleship bismarck sank in the Atlantic Ocean after being attacked by British forces.
1943: Louis Zamperini’s bomber crashed in the Pacific. He and a fellow survivor were captured by the
Japanese and held as prisoners of war.His experiences were later chronicled in the book “Unbroken.”
1968: The U.S. nuclear submarine USS Scorpion was reported missing in the Atlantic. The wreckage was
found later that year.
1990: cesar Gaviria was elected president of Colombia, vowing to combat the country’s powerful cocaine
cartels.
1992: Serb guerrillas launched a mortar attack on Sarajevo, resulting in numerous casualties, despite a
cease-fire agreement.
2004: A federal appeals court upheld Oregon’s law allowing doctors to assist terminally ill patients in
ending their lives.
2006: A devastating earthquake struck Java, Indonesia, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
2023: The Texas House voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton,who faced allegations of abuse of
office. He was later acquitted.
What’s next
As communities reflect on past events, emergency preparedness and disaster
relief remain crucial for mitigating the impact of future tragedies.