January 13 is a date marked by notable events in history. This article provides a concise overview of the major occurrences that have taken place on this day over the centuries. Covering a range of historical periods and global regions, it’s a quick guide to understanding the significance of January 13 in the historical context.
Major Historical Events on January 13 – Today in History
1404: English Parliament Bans Alchemists
The Act of Multipliers passed by the English Parliament prohibited alchemists from creating precious metals due to fears of economic instability if they succeeded.
1630: Chinese Emperor Orders Arrest of General Yuan Chonghuan
Chinese Emperor Chongzhen ordered the arrest of military general Yuan Chonghuan, marking a significant historical event in imperial China.
1822: Greek Flag Design Adopted
The design of the Greek flag was adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus, symbolizing a crucial moment in Greek history and identity.
1842: Dr. William Brydon Survives Afghan War
Dr. William Brydon’s survival during the First Anglo-Afghan War, where he reputedly was the sole survivor of a large army, earned him fame and recognition.
1869: Colored National Labor Union Convention
The Colored National Labor Union held its first Black labor convention in Washington, D.C., a significant step in the labor rights movement.
1888: National Geographic Society Founded
The founding of the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. aimed to promote the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge worldwide.
1898: Emile Zola Publishes “J’accuse” Letter
Emile Zola’s open letter “J’accuse” accused the French government of framing Alfred Dreyfus for sabotage, sparking a major controversy and legal battle.
1908: Henri Farman’s 1km Flight
Henri Farman’s historic flight, where he became the first person to fly an observed circuit of over 1km, earned him the Grand Prix d’Aviation and contributed to aviation history.
1911: South Africa Cricket Team’s First Win Over Australia
The South Africa cricket team achieved its first-ever victory over Australia in a historic match held in Adelaide, marking a significant milestone in cricket history.
1913: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Founded
Delta Sigma Theta, the world’s largest Black Women’s Sorority, was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., promoting sisterhood, service, and scholarship among Black women.
1917: Ciurea Train Station Fire and Explosion
A tragic train accident occurred at Ciurea station in Romania, resulting in a catastrophic fire and explosion, causing the loss of hundreds of lives, making it one of history’s deadliest rail accidents.
1928: First Television Receiver Demonstrated
Swedish-American inventor E.F.W. Alexanderson, associated with General Electric, demonstrated the world’s first television receiver at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, New York, contributing to the development of television technology.
1930: “Mickey Mouse” Comic Strip Debuts
The iconic “Mickey Mouse” comic strip made its debut, introducing the beloved Disney character to the world of comics and entertainment.
1948: First Country Music TV Show Premieres
“Midwestern Hayride,” the first-ever country music TV show, premiered on WLW-T in Cincinnati, Ohio, becoming a significant milestone in the history of country music broadcasting.
1957: Samuel Beckett’s “All that Fall” Radio Play
Samuel Beckett’s first radio play, “All That Fall,” aired on BBC Third Programme, showcasing his unique talent for theatrical and literary innovation.
1959: French President Grants Amnesty to Algerians
French President Charles de Gaulle granted amnesty to 130 Algerians who had been sentenced to death, addressing a sensitive issue in France’s colonial history.
1964: Hindu-Muslim Rioting in Calcutta
Hindu-Muslim rioting erupted in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, resulting in a tragic loss of more than 100 lives and significant social unrest.
1966: Robert C. Weaver Becomes First Black Cabinet Member
Robert C. Weaver became the first Black person selected for a cabinet position by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, serving as the head of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) department.
1968: Johnny Cash Performs at Folsom State Prison
Johnny Cash’s historic performance for inmates at Folsom State Prison in California was recorded for a live album release, becoming a legendary moment in music history.
1968: NHL Player Bill Masterson’s Death
Bill Masterson, an NHL player for the Minnesota North Stars, tragically suffered head injuries during a game, leading to his untimely death two days later, marking the first player to die as a result of a game.
1973: Lasse Daniel Efskind Skates World Record
Lasse Daniel Efskind achieved a world record in speed skating, completing the 1000m race in an impressive time of 1 minute and 17.6 seconds.
1976: Kurzweil Reading Machine Unveiled
American inventor Ray Kurzweil collaborated with the National Federation of the Blind to introduce the Kurzweil Reading Machine, a groundbreaking omni-font optical character recognition system, revolutionizing accessibility for the visually impaired.
1976: Marvin Hagler’s First Career Loss
Marvin Hagler, the future undisputed world middleweight boxing champion, faced his first career loss in a controversial 10-round majority decision to Bobby Watts at the Philadelphia Spectrum.
1976: Sarah Caldwell Conducts at NYC Metropolitan Opera
Sarah Caldwell made history as the first woman to conduct at the NYC Metropolitan Opera House, leading the orchestra in a remarkable performance of “La Traviata.”
1978: NASA Selects First American Women Astronauts
NASA selected its first American women astronauts, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in space exploration.
1985: Oldest Man Records Hole-in-One
Otto Bucher, at the age of 99, accomplished the remarkable feat of recording a hole-in-one at Spanish GC La Manga’s 130-yard 12th hole, showcasing age-defying skill in golf.
1990: Douglas Wilder Inaugurated as First Black Governor
Douglas Wilder was inaugurated as the first elected African American Governor of Virginia, marking a significant milestone in American politics.
1995: America3 Wins America’s Cup Race
The America3 team became the first all-female crew to achieve victory in an America’s Cup race, breaking gender barriers in competitive sailing.
2001: Atlanta Hawks Retire Dominique Wilkins’ No. 21
The Atlanta Hawks retired Dominique Wilkins’ No. 21 jersey in a pre-game ceremony at Philips Arena, honoring his legendary basketball career alongside Bob Pettit and Lou Hudson as the only Hawks with retired numbers.
2009: Global Shipping Experiences Trade Drop
Global shipping experienced a significant decline in trade, with South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan witnessing substantial drops in exports, reflecting economic challenges.
2016: Record Powerball Lottery Held – $1.6 Billion
The record-breaking Powerball lottery in America reached an astounding $1.6 billion jackpot, with three winning tickets, creating a historic frenzy.
2018: Mark Wahlberg Donates Reshoot Fee to “Time’s Up” Movement
American actor Mark Wahlberg donated his $1.5 million re-shoot fee for the film “All The Money In The World” to the “Time’s Up” movement, addressing gender pay disparities after revelations of co-star Michelle Williams being paid significantly less.
2020: LSU Beats Clemson in College Football National Championship
In the 2020 College Football National Championship held at the Superdome in New Orleans, top-ranked LSU secured a convincing victory over #3 Clemson with a final score of 42-15, claiming the championship title.
2020: Oldest Material on Earth – 7.5 Billion Years Old – Discovered
Scientists made a groundbreaking discovery when they revealed the existence of the oldest known material on Earth, dating back an astonishing 7.5 billion years. This material was found within the Murchison meteorite, which had fallen to Earth in Australia during the 1960s.
2021: World’s Oldest Known Cave Painting Found in Indonesia
Archaeologists made an extraordinary find in the Leang Tedongnge cave on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. They uncovered the world’s oldest known cave painting of an animal.
2023 – China’s COVID-19 Toll
China reports 60,000 COVID-19-related deaths in just over a month while another report estimates 900 million people have been infected, 64% of the country’s population.
2023: English Actor Julian Sands Reported Missing
Concerns arose when English actor Julian Sands, aged 65, was reported missing after embarking on a hike in Mount Baldy, located in San Bernardino County, California. Authorities initiated search efforts to locate the actor and ensure his safety.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on January 12 – Today in History
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