On This Day in History December 27 Historical Events 1512 Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regards to native Indians in the New World.  An official copy of the original remonstrance 1657 The Flushing Remonstrance petition is signed in the Dutch colony of New Netherland, protesting the ban on Quaker worship.  1945 International Monetary Fund formally established by 29 member countries based on ideas of Harry Dexter White and John Maynard Keynes.  1949 Queen Juliana of the Netherlands grants independence to Indonesia.  1979 After invading Afghanistan two days earlier Soviet forces pull off a coup in Kabul, killing Afghan President Hafizullah Amin.  More Historical Events  Famous Birthdays Johannes Kepler 1571 - 1630 Domitila de Castro 1797 - 1867 Cyrus Eaton 1883 - 1979 Larisa Latynina 89th Birthday More Famous Birthdays  Famous Deaths Stephen F. Austin 1793 - 1836 Benazir Bhutto 1953 - 2007 More Famous Deaths  Darwin Discovers The Secrets of Life Charles Darwin set out on a voyage of discovery on this day. What he discovered was later to stun the scientific world – and outrage the Church.  Darwin’s Voyage of Discovery