What Happened on February 13 in History?
February 13 has been a date of significant scientific shifts, political upheaval, and cultural milestones.
Major Historical Events
1258: The Fall of Baghdad – The Mongol Empire, led by Hulegu Khan, captured and sacked the city of Baghdad, ending the Islamic Golden Age and destroying the Abbasid Caliphate.
1542: Execution of Catherine Howard – The fifth wife of King Henry VIII, Catherine Howard, was beheaded for adultery and treason.
1633: Galileo’s Trial Begins – Renowned astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome to face the Inquisition for his support of the heliocentric theory that the Earth orbits the Sun.
1689: William and Mary Proclaimed – Following the Glorious Revolution, William III and Mary II were proclaimed joint sovereigns of England.
1945: Bombing of Dresden – During World War II, British and American planes began a massive three-day bombing raid on the German city of Dresden, resulting in a firestorm that killed tens of thousands of civilians.
1960: France Joins the Nuclear Club – France detonated its first atomic bomb in the Sahara Desert, becoming the world's fourth nuclear power.
1965: Operation Rolling Thunder – U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
2008: Apology to the Stolen Generations – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a historic formal apology to Indigenous Australians for the forced removal of children from their families.
Culture and Sports
1635: First Public School in America – The Boston Latin School was established, becoming the oldest public school in the United States.
1914: Foundation of ASCAP – The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers was founded in New York City to protect music copyrights.
1923: First Black Pro Basketball Team – The New York Renaissance (the "Rens") was organized, providing opportunities for Black athletes during a time of segregation.
1980: Winter Olympics Open – The 13th Winter Games opened in Lake Placid, New York, later famous for the "Miracle on Ice".
2000: Last "Peanuts" Comic – The final original Sunday installment of Charles M. Schulz’s "Peanuts" appeared in newspapers the day after his death.
Famous Birthdays
Grant Wood (1891) – American painter known for American Gothic.
Chuck Yeager (1923) – The first pilot to break the sound barrier.
Peter Gabriel (1950) – British musician and former lead singer of Genesis.
Henry Rollins (1961) – Musician and punk rock frontman for Black Flag.
