March 13 is the 72nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 293 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about March 13th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about March 13th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- Dry Shampoo Day.
- Ken Day
- National Jewel Day
- National Earmuff Day
- National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
- National Coconut Torte Day
- Smart and Sexy Day
- International Fanny Pack Day
- National Check Your Batteries Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – March 13
2013: Pope Francis succeeds Pope Benedict XVI
Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina became the 266th leader of the Catholic Church, which has 1.2 billion members around the world.
1997: A series of unidentified lights appear over Phoenix, Arizona
The Phoenix Lights caused heated debate in the UFO community. It emerged later that some of the lights were caused by illumination flares dropped from a U.S. Air Force plane.
1943: German troops liquidate the Jewish ghetto in Kraków
Thousands of men, women and children were murdered by the nazis or deported to extermination camps. The horrific event is portrayed in the film, Schindler’s List.
1845: Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is premiered
The German composer’s opus 64 is one of the most frequently performed violin concertos in history.
1781: Uranus is discovered
German-born British astronomer William Herschel is credited with the planet’s discovery. It is the third largest planet by radius in the solar system.
Cardinal Granvelle flees Brussels!
Spanish fleet occupies Djerba, Tripoli.
Muhammad’s Muslim forces win a significant victory over the Meccan army!
1970: Father, son, Grandfather and Great Grandfather, photo by Irving Penn, New Guinea, 1970

1939: Young Queen Elizabeth as a mechanic during WW2 (c. 1939)

1937: Close-up of Lincoln Head at Mount Rushmore under construction, South Dakota, 1937.

Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, March 13
1985: Matt Jackson, American wrestler
1939: Neil Sedaka, American singer-songwriter, pianist
1911: L. Ron Hubbard, American religious leader, author, founded the Church of Scientology
1907: Mircea Eliade, Romanian historian, author
1733: Joseph Priestley, English chemist, minister, philosopher
Tristan Thompson was born.
Mikaela Shiffrin was born.
Kaya Scodelario was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, March 13
1906: Susan B. Anthony, American activist
1901: Benjamin Harrison, American politician, 23rd President of the United States
1881: Alexander II of Russia
1879: Adolf Anderssen, German chess player
1842: Henry Shrapnel, English army officer
John Barbour died.
Adolf Anderssen died.
Benjamin Harrison died.