August 27, 1949: On this day, Das Volkacher wine festival was launched to celebrate the first grapes harvested at the end of the summer and beginning of fall in Volkach, Bavaria. Local wineries provide amenities, musical performances abound, and there is a ceremonial squeezing of the grapes by notable members of the city council and local aristocracy.

August 27, 1992: Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union months after joining the United Nations. The small country produces wines, which Russia has banned as an import in the past due to consumer agency concerns over pesticides.

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