December 13 is the 347th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 18 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about December 13th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about December 13th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Violin Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – December 13
2003: Saddam Hussein Captured
Saddam Hussein, the fifth president of Iraq, was found hiding in a camouflaged hole in the ground and was captured by American forces near Tikrit, Iraq. The military operation that led to his capture was called Operation Red Dawn. He was subsequently handed over to the interim Iraqi government. After a trial where he was found guilty of crimes against humanity, he was executed 3 years after his capture in December 2006.
2001: Attack on Indian parliament
The Indian parliament, the Sansad, was attacked by terrorists. 15 people, including the terrorists were killed during the attack.
1972: Last human landing on the Moon
Apollo 17 was the last mission of the United States’ Apollo lunar landing program. It was also the sixth and the last time humans landed on the Moon.
1795: Meteorite crashes into Wold Newton in Yorkshire, England.
Major Edward Topham owned the land where the meteorite crashed. He exhibited it later, and today it is in the Natural History Museum in London.
1642: First European to Reach New Zealand
Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer and merchant, reached the coast of South Island in New Zealand, and named it Staten Landt. Tasman was also the first European in recorded history to step foot on Tasmania, an island state in Australia. Tasman claimed the island for the Dutch crown. It is named after him as well.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, December 13
1989: Taylor Swift, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actress
1948: Ted Nugent, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor
1936: Aga Khan IV, Swiss/French 49th Nizari Ismaili Imam
1902: Talcott Parsons, American sociologist
1818: Mary Todd Lincoln, American wife of Abraham Lincoln, 17th First Lady of the United States
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, December 13
2010: Richard Holbrooke, American journalist, banker, diplomat, 22nd United States Ambassador to the United Nations
2005: Stanley Williams, American gang leader, co-founded the Crips
1944: Wassily Kandinsky, Russian/French painter
1784: Samuel Johnson, English author, lexicographer
1204: Maimonides, Spanish rabbi, philosopher
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