Today in History for Dec. 27, 2014

Dec. 27, 1512 – The Spanish Crown issued the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regard to native Indians in the New World.

Dec. 27, 1816 – Early Conecuh County, Ala. teacher and minister Rev. Hanson Lee was born in Johnston County, N.C. He would go on to serve as president of Mount Lebanon College and as editor of the Louisiana Baptist.

Dec. 27, 1862 - Union General William T. Sherman moved within a few miles of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Two days of skirmishes occurred before Sherman ordered a major attack on Dec. 29. Sherman was thwarted in the attempt.

Dec. 27, 1864 - The Confederate Army of Tennessee under General John Bell Hood finished crossing the Tennessee River into Mississippi.

Dec. 27, 1908 - The world didn't end as Nyack, New York's would-be prophet Lee J. Spangler claimed it would.

Dec. 27, 1912 – The No. 2 Passenger Train, which passed through Evergreen, Ala. at 5:19 a.m., wrecked at Garland. The engine and three cars overturned, and it was reported that the engineer, fireman and several others were injured. This was the third wreck on that division of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in 10 days.

Dec. 27, 1966 – The Cave of Swallows, the largest known cave shaft in the world, was discovered in Aquismón, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

Dec. 27, 1991 – “Fried Green Tomatoes,” a movie version of Alabama author Fannie Flagg's book “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Cafe,” was released.

Dec. 27, 1998 - The Dallas Cowboys became the first team to sweep all of their NFC East games in a season.

Dec. 27, 1998 - Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys set an NFL record for career touchdowns.

Dec. 27, 2003 - New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner fainted at a memorial service. He was released from the hospital the following day.

Dec. 27, 2004 - In a game against the San Diego Chargers, quarterback Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts found wide receiver Brandon Stokely in the end zone for his 49th touchdown pass of the season, breaking the previous National Football League (NFL) single-season record held by Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins. Manning's record stood until 2007, when Tom Brady of the New England Patriots threw 50 touchdowns in a single season.