May 13 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 232 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about May 13th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about May 13th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- International Hummus Day.
- Top Gun Day
- National Frog Jumping Day
- Leprechaun Day
- World Bellydance Day
- International Hummus Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – May 13
1989: Thousands of students begin a hunger strike on Tiananmen Square in Beijing
The non-violent occupation of the square was part of anti-corruption and pro-democracy demonstrations. Some 3000 unarmed civilians were killed when the army cracked down on the protesters on June 3-4, 1989.
1981: Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt
Turkish right-wing extremist Mehmet Ali Ağca fired two shots at John Paul II on St. Peter’s Square. The Pope was seriously wounded but survived thanks to a 5-hour operation and went on to visit his attacker in prison.
1950: The first Formula One World Championship season kicks off
Giuseppe Farina won the first FIA World Championship of Drivers for the Alfa Romeo team.
1940: Igor Sikorsky pilots his VS-300 helicopter’s maiden flight
The helicopter was the first successful model to use the single vertical tail rotor that most helicopters feature today.
1909: The Giro d’Italia cycle race is held for the first time
The Giro is considered one of the world’s most important cycle races. Luigi Ganna won the first edition, which went from Milan to Naples and back.
1918: Ladies wearing Face Masks during Spanish Flu, 1918.
1913: Igor Sikorsky flies the first four-engine aircraft in 1913.
1900: Albanian armed militia from Southern Albania, early 1900s
1846: The US Capitol in 1846
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, May 13
1964: Stephen Colbert, American comedian, actor, talk show host
1950: Stevie Wonder, American singer-songwriter, pianist, producer
1914: Joe Louis, American boxer
1842: Arthur Sullivan, English composer
1717: Maria Theresa, Austrian wife of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Robert Pattinson was born.
Stephen Colbert was born.
Stevie Wonder was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, May 13
2001: R. K. Narayan, Indian author
1977: Mickey Spillane, American mobster
1975: Bob Wills, American singer-songwriter
1930: Fridtjof Nansen, Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian, Nobel Prize laureate
1832: Georges Cuvier, French biologist
Gary Cooper died.
R.K. Narayan died.
Georges Cuvier died.
