A complete timeline of historical events, famous births, notable deaths, and holidays that occurred on December 13 throughout history.
100
Events
11
Births
Francis Drake sets sail from England on an epic three-year circumnavigation of the world aboard the "Pelican," later renamed the "Golden Hind"
The Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians. Recognized today as the founding of the United States National Guard.
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sights the South Island of present day New Zealand; initially he calls it Staten Landt and changes it a year later to Nieuw Zeeland [1]
The International Court of Justice (ICJ; French: Cour internationale de justice, CIJ), or colloquially the World Court, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).
The European Union announces that Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia will become members from May 1, 2004
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured in a spider hole near his home town of Tikrit, during Operation Red Dawn by US forces
"Driving Miss Daisy" directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy is released (Best Picture 1990)
First music store in America opens in Philadelphia by future Treasurer of the United States, Michael Hillegas
The Mitchell Report is publicly released listing the names of 89 Major League Baseball players that have presumably used anabolic steroids and human growth hormones. Notable players named include Roger Clemens and Miguel Tejada.
Boudouin Iron Arm & Count of Flanders, elopes with Princess Judith, daughter King Charles of West Francia
Joséphine Bonaparte was the first wife of Emperor Napoleon I and as such Empress of the French from 18 May 1804 until their marriage was annulled on 10 January 1810.
Future British PM Margaret Roberts (26) weds businessman Denis Thatcher (36) at Wesley's Chapel in City Road, London
Oscar winning-actress Kate Winslet (26) divorces assistant film director Jim Threapleton (28) due to unreasonable behavior after 3 years of marriage
"Dexter" actress Jennifer Carpenter (31) divorces actor Michael C. Hall (40) due to irreconcilable differences after 2 years of marriage
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took effect on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 Roman-Vatican Time, following Benedict XVI's announcement of the same on 11 February.
The greatest traveller of his age, Ibn Battuta of Tangier, completes his work "The Travels," detailing his 29 years spent traveling the Islamic world and beyond, including to India, China, and Indonesia
John III succeeds his father as King of Portugal and the Algarves, at age 19; reigns for 36 years, until his death in 1557
Sweden and Denmark signs Peace of Stettin
Spanish army beats Geuzen fleet (confederacy of Calvinist Dutch nobles) under admiral Lumey
Emperor Ferdinand II delegates 1st anti-Reformation decree
The Battle of Alton (also known as the Storming of Alton), of the First English Civil War, took place on 13 December 1643 in the town of Alton, Hampshire, England.
Prussia joins Austria and Russia in signing the Treaty of Berlin, a secret treaty regarding succession to the Polish throne
Britain and Russia sign trade agreement
William IV Prince of Orange tests his mothers potatoes
Dartmouth College ( DART-məth) is a private Ivy League research university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States.
Patent for a dry dock issued to John Adamson, Boston
Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras.
The Battle of Camp Allegheny, also known as the Battle of Allegheny Mountain, took place on December 13, 1861, in Pocahontas County, Virginia (now West Virginia), about 3 miles from the mountainous...
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.
The Second Battle of Fort McAllister took place December 13, 1864, during the final stages of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's March to the Sea during the American Civil War.
First federal fish hatching steamer launched (Wilmington, Delaware)
Belgium rules on women and child labor law
George Gunn scores 119 on Test debut v Australia SCG
German Emperor Wilhelm II visits Amsterdam
Avalanche kills 10,000 Austrian and Italian troops in 24 hrs in Tyrol
US army of occupation crosses Rhine, enters Germany
The Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) is an astronomical observatory in Los Angeles County, California, United States.
KOA-AM in Denver CO begins radio transmissions
French government of André Tardieu falls for the second time
Mark Hellinger Theater (Warner Bros) opens at 237 W 51st St NYC
Japanese troops conquer and plunder Nanjing (Nanjing Massacre)
Los Angeles, California freezes at 28°F
Battle of the River Plate - 3 British cruisers vs German pocket battleship Graf Spee
German occupiers forbid National Front and Netherland Union
Seyss-Inquart allows Dutch Nazi Anton Mussert to call himself Leader
US Marauders bomb Schiphol
Japanese kamikaze crashes into US cruiser Nashville, kills 138
Maine Turnpike opens to traffic
AL votes down proposal to revive spitball
NFL Dallas Texans (former NY Yanks) play final game, losing 41-6 to the Lions in Detroit; finish with record of 1-11
KOAM TV channel 7 in Pittsburg-Joplin, KS (CBS) begins broadcasting
Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield & $35,000. Robinson will retire rather than be traded.
Archbishop Makarios elected 1st president of Cyprus, receiving two thirds of the vote
Relay 1 communication satellite launched
Capital Records signs right of first refusal agreement with The Beatles
Algerian president Boumedienne visits Moscow
Test debut of Clive Lloyd, v India Bombay, 82 & 78
Greek King Constantine II attempts a counter-coup against the military junta; after the failure, Constantine flees to Italy
Brazilian President Da Costa e Silva issues Ato Institucional Número Cinco degree
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...
The WACA Ground () is a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. The stadium's name derives from the initials of its owners and operators, the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA). The...
Neil Simon's play "The Gingerbread Lady" starring Maureen Stapleton (Tony Award Best Actress), premieres on Broadway in NYC
John Sinclair (sentence: 10 yrs, sold 2 marijuana joints) is freed
The Portuguese Colonial War (Portuguese: Guerra Colonial Portuguesa), also known in Portugal as the Overseas War (Guerra do Ultramar) or in the former colonies as the War of Liberation (Guerra de...
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa.
As a live sketch comedy show, NBC's Saturday Night Live (officially abbreviated to SNL) has been the subject of numerous controversies and incidents since its inception in 1975.
Golden Gate Bridge District starts ferry service to Larkspur
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team represents the Purple Aces of the University of Evansville, located in Evansville, Indiana, in NCAA Division I basketball competition.
CBS' premiere of "Lovey: A Circle of Children Part II", sequel to "A Circle of Children", which is also based on Mary Mac Cracken
Saudi Arabia raises marker crude price to $24 per barrel
Poland's authoritarian communist government declares martial law and arrests Solidarity activists in a failed attempt to crush the opposition
Earthquake hits Northern Yemen; 2,000 die
9,655 see highest-scoring NBA game: Detroit 186, Denver 184 (3 OT)
Artificial heart recipient William Schroeder suffers 1st stroke
Test debut of cricketers Merv Hughes, Geoff Marsh and Bruce Reid (v India)
Belgium Christian Democrats (CVP) loses parliamentary election
Three men complete their 29-hour all-466-station subway ride in New York City
An earthquake, also called a quake, tremor, or temblor, is the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves.
Formerly a single nation that was annexed by Japan in 1910, the Korean Peninsula was divided into occupation zones since the end of World War II on 2 September 1945.
Between 1990 and 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued fines totaling $2.5 million to radio licensees for airing material it deemed indecent from The Howard Stern Show, the highest...
"I Swear" is a song written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers that became a hit for American country music artist John Michael Montgomery in 1993, and for American R&B group All-4-One in...
Christopher D'Olier Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, activist, director, and author.
William Roger Clemens, nicknamed "Rocket", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), most notably with the Boston Red Sox and New York...
63rd Heisman Trophy Award: Charles Woodson, Michigan (CB)
65th Heisman Trophy Award: Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (RB)
69th Heisman Trophy Award: Jason White, Oklahoma (QB)
Ballon d'Or: Milan's Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko is named best football player in Europe ahead of Deco (Porto/FC Barcelona) and Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho
Australian mechanic Bradley John Murdoch is found guilty of the murder of Peter Falconio and sentenced to life in prison [1]
The baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) is a possibly extinct species of river dolphin native to the Yangtze river system in China.
76th Heisman Trophy Award: Cam Newton, Auburn (QB)
A car bombing in Qatana, outside Damascus, kills 16 people and injures 12
80th Heisman Trophy Award: Marcus Mariota, Oregon (QB)
Irishman Conor McGregor knocks out Brazilian Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to win his first featherweight title in Las Vegas, Nevada
The Battle of Aleppo was a major military confrontation in Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, between the Syrian opposition militias (such as the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Levant Front and the...
Actress Eliza Dushku revealed received $9.5 million settlement from CBS after sexual harassment on set of "Bull" from actor Michael Weatherley
Michael Bay's big budget action film "6 Underground" is released on Netflix just three days after premiering at The Shed in New York City
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Starting in January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British politician and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022.
New Zealand passes world's first tobacco ban, outlawing smoking for those born after 2009 [1]
COP28 in Dubai ends with agreement from 190 counties to begin “transitioning away from fossil fuels”, a compromise but still the first to directly address an end to fossil fuels [1]
Marc Connelly, American playwright, known for american playwright, was born on 1890-12-13.
George P. Shultz, American economist, diplomat and statesman, known for american economist, diplomat and statesman, was born on 1920-12-13.
Ben Bernanke, American economist, known for american economist, was born on 1954-12-13.
Dick Van Dyke, American actor and comedian, known for american actor and comedian, was born on 1926-12-13. Richard Wayne Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, singer, dancer and writer.
Steve Buscemi, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1958-12-13. Steven Vincent Buscemi is an American actor.
Jamie Foxx, American comedian and actor, known for american comedian and actor, was born on 1968-12-13.
Amy Lee, American musician, known for american musician, was born on 1982-12-13. Amy Lynn Lee is an American singer-songwriter and musician.
Taylor Swift, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1990-12-13. Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter.
Larry Doby, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1924-12-13.
Ferguson Jenkins, Canadian athlete, known for canadian baseball pitcher, was born on 1943-12-13. Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher and coach.
Kenneth Patchen, American poet and novelist, known for american poet and novelist, was born on 1911-12-13. Kenneth Patchen (December 13, 1911 – January 8, 1972) was an American poet and novelist.
Boudouin Iron Arm & Count of Flanders, elopes with Princess Judith, daughter King Charles of West Francia
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took effect on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 Roman-Vatican Time, following Benedict XVI's announcement of the same on 11 February.
The greatest traveller of his age, Ibn Battuta of Tangier, completes his work "The Travels," detailing his 29 years spent traveling the Islamic world and beyond, including to India, China, and Indonesia
John III succeeds his father as King of Portugal and the Algarves, at age 19; reigns for 36 years, until his death in 1557
Sweden and Denmark signs Peace of Stettin
Spanish army beats Geuzen fleet (confederacy of Calvinist Dutch nobles) under admiral Lumey
Francis Drake sets sail from England on an epic three-year circumnavigation of the world aboard the "Pelican," later renamed the "Golden Hind"
Emperor Ferdinand II delegates 1st anti-Reformation decree
The Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians. Recognized today as the founding of the United States National Guard.
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sights the South Island of present day New Zealand; initially he calls it Staten Landt and changes it a year later to Nieuw Zeeland [1]
The Battle of Alton (also known as the Storming of Alton), of the First English Civil War, took place on 13 December 1643 in the town of Alton, Hampshire, England.
Prussia joins Austria and Russia in signing the Treaty of Berlin, a secret treaty regarding succession to the Polish throne
Britain and Russia sign trade agreement
William IV Prince of Orange tests his mothers potatoes
First music store in America opens in Philadelphia by future Treasurer of the United States, Michael Hillegas
Dartmouth College ( DART-məth) is a private Ivy League research university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States.
Joséphine Bonaparte was the first wife of Emperor Napoleon I and as such Empress of the French from 18 May 1804 until their marriage was annulled on 10 January 1810.
Patent for a dry dock issued to John Adamson, Boston
Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras.
The Battle of Camp Allegheny, also known as the Battle of Allegheny Mountain, took place on December 13, 1861, in Pocahontas County, Virginia (now West Virginia), about 3 miles from the mountainous...
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.
The Second Battle of Fort McAllister took place December 13, 1864, during the final stages of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's March to the Sea during the American Civil War.
First federal fish hatching steamer launched (Wilmington, Delaware)
Belgium rules on women and child labor law
Marc Connelly, American playwright, known for american playwright, was born on 1890-12-13.
George Gunn scores 119 on Test debut v Australia SCG
German Emperor Wilhelm II visits Amsterdam
Kenneth Patchen, American poet and novelist, known for american poet and novelist, was born on 1911-12-13. Kenneth Patchen (December 13, 1911 – January 8, 1972) was an American poet and novelist.
Avalanche kills 10,000 Austrian and Italian troops in 24 hrs in Tyrol
US army of occupation crosses Rhine, enters Germany
The International Court of Justice (ICJ; French: Cour internationale de justice, CIJ), or colloquially the World Court, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).
The Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) is an astronomical observatory in Los Angeles County, California, United States.
George P. Shultz, American economist, diplomat and statesman, known for american economist, diplomat and statesman, was born on 1920-12-13.
KOA-AM in Denver CO begins radio transmissions
Larry Doby, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1924-12-13.
Dick Van Dyke, American actor and comedian, known for american actor and comedian, was born on 1926-12-13. Richard Wayne Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, singer, dancer and writer.
French government of André Tardieu falls for the second time
Mark Hellinger Theater (Warner Bros) opens at 237 W 51st St NYC
Japanese troops conquer and plunder Nanjing (Nanjing Massacre)
Los Angeles, California freezes at 28°F
Battle of the River Plate - 3 British cruisers vs German pocket battleship Graf Spee
German occupiers forbid National Front and Netherland Union
Seyss-Inquart allows Dutch Nazi Anton Mussert to call himself Leader
US Marauders bomb Schiphol
Ferguson Jenkins, Canadian athlete, known for canadian baseball pitcher, was born on 1943-12-13. Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher and coach.
Japanese kamikaze crashes into US cruiser Nashville, kills 138
Maine Turnpike opens to traffic
AL votes down proposal to revive spitball
Future British PM Margaret Roberts (26) weds businessman Denis Thatcher (36) at Wesley's Chapel in City Road, London
NFL Dallas Texans (former NY Yanks) play final game, losing 41-6 to the Lions in Detroit; finish with record of 1-11
KOAM TV channel 7 in Pittsburg-Joplin, KS (CBS) begins broadcasting
Ben Bernanke, American economist, known for american economist, was born on 1954-12-13.
Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield & $35,000. Robinson will retire rather than be traded.
Steve Buscemi, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1958-12-13. Steven Vincent Buscemi is an American actor.
Archbishop Makarios elected 1st president of Cyprus, receiving two thirds of the vote
Relay 1 communication satellite launched
Capital Records signs right of first refusal agreement with The Beatles
Algerian president Boumedienne visits Moscow
Test debut of Clive Lloyd, v India Bombay, 82 & 78
Greek King Constantine II attempts a counter-coup against the military junta; after the failure, Constantine flees to Italy
Brazilian President Da Costa e Silva issues Ato Institucional Número Cinco degree
Jamie Foxx, American comedian and actor, known for american comedian and actor, was born on 1968-12-13.
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman and manager, who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the...
The WACA Ground () is a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. The stadium's name derives from the initials of its owners and operators, the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA). The...
Neil Simon's play "The Gingerbread Lady" starring Maureen Stapleton (Tony Award Best Actress), premieres on Broadway in NYC
John Sinclair (sentence: 10 yrs, sold 2 marijuana joints) is freed
The Portuguese Colonial War (Portuguese: Guerra Colonial Portuguesa), also known in Portugal as the Overseas War (Guerra do Ultramar) or in the former colonies as the War of Liberation (Guerra de...
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa.
As a live sketch comedy show, NBC's Saturday Night Live (officially abbreviated to SNL) has been the subject of numerous controversies and incidents since its inception in 1975.
Golden Gate Bridge District starts ferry service to Larkspur
The Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team represents the Purple Aces of the University of Evansville, located in Evansville, Indiana, in NCAA Division I basketball competition.
CBS' premiere of "Lovey: A Circle of Children Part II", sequel to "A Circle of Children", which is also based on Mary Mac Cracken
Saudi Arabia raises marker crude price to $24 per barrel
Poland's authoritarian communist government declares martial law and arrests Solidarity activists in a failed attempt to crush the opposition
Earthquake hits Northern Yemen; 2,000 die
Amy Lee, American musician, known for american musician, was born on 1982-12-13. Amy Lynn Lee is an American singer-songwriter and musician.
9,655 see highest-scoring NBA game: Detroit 186, Denver 184 (3 OT)
Artificial heart recipient William Schroeder suffers 1st stroke
Test debut of cricketers Merv Hughes, Geoff Marsh and Bruce Reid (v India)
Belgium Christian Democrats (CVP) loses parliamentary election
Three men complete their 29-hour all-466-station subway ride in New York City
"Driving Miss Daisy" directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy is released (Best Picture 1990)
An earthquake, also called a quake, tremor, or temblor, is the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves.
Taylor Swift, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1990-12-13. Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter.
Formerly a single nation that was annexed by Japan in 1910, the Korean Peninsula was divided into occupation zones since the end of World War II on 2 September 1945.
Between 1990 and 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued fines totaling $2.5 million to radio licensees for airing material it deemed indecent from The Howard Stern Show, the highest...
"I Swear" is a song written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers that became a hit for American country music artist John Michael Montgomery in 1993, and for American R&B group All-4-One in...
Christopher D'Olier Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, activist, director, and author.
William Roger Clemens, nicknamed "Rocket", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), most notably with the Boston Red Sox and New York...
63rd Heisman Trophy Award: Charles Woodson, Michigan (CB)
65th Heisman Trophy Award: Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (RB)
Oscar winning-actress Kate Winslet (26) divorces assistant film director Jim Threapleton (28) due to unreasonable behavior after 3 years of marriage
The European Union announces that Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia will become members from May 1, 2004
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured in a spider hole near his home town of Tikrit, during Operation Red Dawn by US forces
69th Heisman Trophy Award: Jason White, Oklahoma (QB)
Ballon d'Or: Milan's Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko is named best football player in Europe ahead of Deco (Porto/FC Barcelona) and Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho
Australian mechanic Bradley John Murdoch is found guilty of the murder of Peter Falconio and sentenced to life in prison [1]
The baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) is a possibly extinct species of river dolphin native to the Yangtze river system in China.
The Mitchell Report is publicly released listing the names of 89 Major League Baseball players that have presumably used anabolic steroids and human growth hormones. Notable players named include Roger Clemens and Miguel Tejada.
"Dexter" actress Jennifer Carpenter (31) divorces actor Michael C. Hall (40) due to irreconcilable differences after 2 years of marriage
76th Heisman Trophy Award: Cam Newton, Auburn (QB)
A car bombing in Qatana, outside Damascus, kills 16 people and injures 12
80th Heisman Trophy Award: Marcus Mariota, Oregon (QB)
Irishman Conor McGregor knocks out Brazilian Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to win his first featherweight title in Las Vegas, Nevada
The Battle of Aleppo was a major military confrontation in Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, between the Syrian opposition militias (such as the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Levant Front and the...
Actress Eliza Dushku revealed received $9.5 million settlement from CBS after sexual harassment on set of "Bull" from actor Michael Weatherley
Michael Bay's big budget action film "6 Underground" is released on Netflix just three days after premiering at The Shed in New York City
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Starting in January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British politician and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022.
New Zealand passes world's first tobacco ban, outlawing smoking for those born after 2009 [1]
COP28 in Dubai ends with agreement from 190 counties to begin “transitioning away from fossil fuels”, a compromise but still the first to directly address an end to fossil fuels [1]