Claudia Chu

Written by Claudia Chu

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Jessica Corbett

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

may-13th-all-facts-events-that-happened-today-in-history
Source: Facts.net

Welcome to a journey through time! In this article, we will explore the significant events that took place on May 13th throughout history. From milestones to inventions, discoveries to achievements, this day has witnessed remarkable occurrences that have shaped the world we live in today. By delving into the past, we can gain valuable insights and appreciation for the moments that have shaped our present reality. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a curious mind, or simply seeking to expand your knowledge, join us as we unravel the intriguing facts and events that happened on May 13th. From notable birthdays to groundbreaking discoveries, this article will take you on a captivating ride through history.

Key Takeaways:

  • On May 13th, significant events like the founding of the Brazil Federation and Winston Churchill’s iconic speech took place, shaping history with political, scientific, and cultural milestones.
  • May 13th marks the birth of notable figures like Stevie Wonder and the premiere of “Animaniacs,” but also the passing of influential individuals such as Bob Marley and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Table of Contents

HISTORICAL EVENTS

  • 1888: The Brazil Federation is founded, uniting the provinces of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Parana, and Sao Paulo.
  • 1940: Winston Churchill delivers his first speech as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, famously saying, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”
  • 1981: Pope John Paul II is shot and critically wounded in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali A?ca.
  • 1995: The last Nuremberg trial takes place, sentencing former SS officer Karl Linnas to life imprisonment for his role in the Holocaust.
  • 2016: Rodrigo Duterte is elected as the 16th President of the Philippines.

SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS

  • 1792: Captain Robert Gray becomes the first recorded American to circumnavigate the globe.
  • 1830: The Royal Astronomical Society is founded in London.
  • 1967: The first successful human heart transplant is performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in South Africa.
  • 1995: Astronomers discover the first exoplanet orbiting a main-sequence star, 51 Pegasi b.
  • 2004: The first privately-funded spaceplane, SpaceShipOne, reaches an altitude of 100 kilometers, making it the first privately-funded manned spacecraft.

POLITICAL MILESTONES

  • 1846: The United States declares war on Mexico after a dispute over the border between Texas and Mexico.
  • 1917: Our Lady of Fátima is said to have appeared to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, starting a series of Marian apparitions.
  • 1949: The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) is established, separating it from the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).
  • 1985: Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode orders the controversial bombing of the MOVE organization’s headquarters, resulting in the destruction of several houses and the deaths of 11 people, including 5 children.
  • 2014: India’s ruling party, the Indian National Congress, suffers its worst-ever defeat in national elections, paving the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party to come to power.

CULTURAL EVENTS

  • 1779: German composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel is born.
  • 1882: French artist Georges Braque is born, co-founder of the Cubist movement.
  • 1950: English actor and heartthrob Simon MacCorkindale is born.
  • 1961: American actor Dennis Rodman is born, known for his flamboyant personality and basketball career.
  • 1993: The animated television series “Animaniacs” premieres on Fox Kids.

BIRTHS

  • 1717: Maria Theresa, Austrian archduchess and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, is born.
  • 1857: Ronald Ross, Scottish physician, and Nobel laureate, known for his work on malaria, is born.
  • 1922: Bea Arthur, American actress known for her roles in “Maude” and “The Golden Girls,” is born.
  • 1950: Stevie Wonder, American singer-songwriter and musician, is born.
  • 1977: Samantha Morton, English actress and director, known for her roles in “Minority Report” and “In America,” is born.

NOTABLE DEATHS

  • 1884: Cyrus McCormick, American inventor and founder of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, passes away.
  • 1954: Charles Ives, American composer known for his experimental compositions, dies.
  • 1981: Bob Marley, Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician, passes away after battling cancer.
  • 1998: Frank Sinatra, American singer and actor known as “The Voice” and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, dies at the age of 82.
  • 2017: Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Colombian novelist and Nobel laureate, author of “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” passes away.

Conclusion

May 13th has witnessed numerous significant events throughout history. From the establishment of the Brazil Federation to the election of Rodrigo Duterte as the President of the Philippines, this date has marked important political milestones. Scientific breakthroughs, such as the first successful human heart transplant and the discovery of exoplanet 51 Pegasi b, have also occurred on this day. Furthermore, May 13th is associated with cultural events like the birth of composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel and the premiere of the animated series “Animaniacs.” Unfortunately, notable deaths including Bob Marley and Gabriel Garcia Marquez have also taken place on this day. Overall, May 13th serves as a reminder of the diverse and impactful events that have shaped our world.

FAQs

Q: What are some historical events that occurred on May 13th?

A: Some historical events that occurred on May 13th include the founding of the Brazil Federation in 1888 and Winston Churchill delivering his first speech as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1940.

Q: What scientific breakthroughs are associated with May 13th?

A: May 13th is associated with significant scientific breakthroughs such as the first successful human heart transplant in 1967 and the discovery of exoplanet 51 Pegasi b in 1995.

Q: Are there any political milestones connected to May 13th?

A: Yes, May 13th is connected to various political milestones including the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) in 1949 and the controversial bombing of the MOVE organization’s headquarters in Philadelphia in 1985.

Q: Which cultural events are associated with May 13th?

A: Cultural events associated with May 13th include the birth of German composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel in 1779 and the premiere of the animated series “Animaniacs” in 1993.

Q: Who are some notable individuals born on May 13th?

A: Some notable individuals born on May 13th include Austrian archduchess and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia Maria Theresa in 1717 and American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder in 1950.

Q: Who are some notable individuals who died on May 13th?

A: Some notable individuals who died on May 13th include American inventor Cyrus McCormick in 1884 and Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez in 2017.

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