On This Day in History

November 13

Try searching: king | independence | constitution | protest | royal | science
⏮️ Previous Day Next Day ⏭️
2015
Tragedy

Paris Attacks Kill 130 in Coordinated Terrorist Strikes

A series of coordinated terrorist attacks across Paris, including the Bataclan theatre, killed 130 people and injured hundreds, marking one of France's deadliest peacetime tragedies.

📍 Paris, France

Tragedy Terrorism
2003
Politics

Arrest of Saddam Hussein's Deputy, 'Chemical Ali'

Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as 'Chemical Ali' for his role in chemical attacks against Kurds, was captured by U.S. forces during the Iraq War.

📍 Iraq

Politics Iraq War
1974
Invention

First Known Use of the Word 'Internet'

The term 'Internet' appeared for the first time in a technical paper about TCP/IP protocols, marking the conceptual birth of modern networking.

📍 USA

Invention Technology
1965
War

Vietnam War: Battle of Ia Drang Begins

The Battle of Ia Drang, the first major engagement between U.S. forces and North Vietnamese Army troops, began, signaling a new phase in the Vietnam War.

📍 Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam

War Vietnam War
1963
Politics

First Televised Murder in U.S. as Jack Ruby Kills Lee Harvey Oswald

Jack Ruby shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, in front of live television cameras.

📍 Dallas, Texas, USA

Politics Assassination
1955
Culture

Birth of Whoopi Goldberg, Actress and Comedian

Whoopi Goldberg, acclaimed actress, comedian, and one of the few entertainers to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, was born in New York.

📍 New York City, USA

Culture Cinema
1943
War

First Use of Guided Missile by Germans in WWII

Germany deployed the first guided missile in combat, targeting Allied ships in the Mediterranean during World War II.

📍 Mediterranean Sea

War WWII
1942
War

First American Troops Arrive in North Africa During WWII

U.S. forces landed in North Africa as part of Operation Torch, marking the first major American engagement in the European-North African theater of WWII.

📍 North Africa

War WWII
1926
Invention

First U.S. Highway Numbering System Approved

The U.S. government approved the standardized highway numbering system, leading to the creation of iconic routes like Route 66.

📍 USA

Invention Transport
1868
Culture

Death of Gioachino Rossini, Italian Composer

Gioachino Rossini, famed composer of operas such as *The Barber of Seville* and *William Tell*, died in Paris.

📍 Paris, France

Culture Music
1866
Politics

U.S. Supreme Court Declares Military Tribunals Unconstitutional in Ex parte Milligan

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in *Ex parte Milligan* that military tribunals cannot try civilians when civil courts are open, strengthening civil liberties.

📍 Washington, D.C., USA

Politics Law
1863
Science

Discovery of the Element Indium

German chemists Ferdinand Reich and Theodor Richter discovered the chemical element Indium, expanding the periodic table.

📍 Freiberg, Germany

Science Chemistry
1857
War

Siege of Lucknow Ends During Indian Rebellion

British forces relieved the Siege of Lucknow, a pivotal event during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British rule.

📍 Lucknow, India

War Colonial History
1851
Science

Discovery of Uranus' Moons Ariel and Umbriel

William Lassell discovered two of Uranus' moons, Ariel and Umbriel, expanding knowledge of the solar system.

📍 Liverpool, England

Science Astronomy
1850
Culture

Birth of Robert Louis Stevenson, Author of *Treasure Island*

Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, famous for *Treasure Island* and *Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde*, was born in Edinburgh.

📍 Edinburgh, Scotland

Culture Literature
1572
Science

First Light Detected from the Supernova SN 1572 by Tycho Brahe

Astronomer Tycho Brahe observed a supernova in the constellation Cassiopeia, challenging the belief in an unchanging celestial realm.

📍 Denmark

Science Astronomy
1375
Politics

Death of King Edward III of England

King Edward III of England, whose reign saw the start of the Hundred Years' War, died after 50 years on the throne.

📍 Sheen Palace, England

Politics Medieval History
486
Politics

Xerxes I Becomes King of Persia

Xerxes I ascended to the throne of the Persian Empire, later leading invasions against Greece during the Greco-Persian Wars.

📍 Persepolis, Persia

Politics Ancient History
430
Culture

Death of Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Augustine, one of the most influential theologians and philosophers in Christian history, died in Hippo Regius.

📍 Hippo Regius, Roman North Africa

Culture Religion
-2136
Science

First Known Record of a Solar Eclipse by Assyrians

Assyrian astronomers recorded one of the earliest known solar eclipses, marking a significant development in ancient astronomy.

📍 Assyria (modern-day Iraq)

Science Astronomy