Events, milestones, births, deaths and notable happenings

September 13 has witnessed important events in ancient history, wars and revolutions, science, politics, culture, entertainment and international affairs. It is the 256th day of the year in a common year and the 257th day in a leap year, with 109 days remaining.

🌍 Major Historical Events

509 BC – Temple of Jupiter dedicated in Rome

According to Roman tradition, the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on Rome’s Capitoline Hill was dedicated on September 13. It became one of the most important religious centers of ancient Rome. (Wikipedia)

533 – Battle of Ad Decimum

Byzantine general Belisarius defeated the Vandals under King Gelimer near Carthage in North Africa. The victory was an important step in Emperor Justinian I’s attempt to reconquer former Western Roman territories. (Wikipedia)

1229 – Ögedei Khan proclaimed Great Khan

Ögedei Khan, son of Genghis Khan, was proclaimed Khagan of the Mongol Empire. His reign saw considerable expansion of Mongol power across Asia and into Europe. (Wikipedia)

1437 – Battle of Tangier

A Portuguese expedition attempted to capture Tangier in Morocco but suffered a major defeat. The failed campaign became an important episode in Portugal’s early expansion into North Africa. (Wikipedia)

1501 – Michelangelo begins work on David

The young Michelangelo began carving what would become his famous marble statue David in Florence. The completed sculpture became one of the defining masterpieces of Renaissance art. (History Guesser)

1609 – Henry Hudson reaches the Hudson River

English explorer Henry Hudson, sailing for the Dutch East India Company, reached the river in North America that was later named the Hudson River. His voyage helped establish Dutch claims in the region. (Wikipedia)

1759 – Battle of the Plains of Abraham

British forces under General James Wolfe defeated French forces commanded by General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm near Quebec City during the Seven Years’ War.

Both Wolfe and Montcalm were mortally wounded. The British victory was a decisive turning point in the struggle for control of New France and ultimately helped establish British dominance in much of North America. (Time and Date)

1788 – New York City chosen as temporary U.S. capital

The Congress of the Confederation selected New York City as the temporary capital of the United States and established the date for the country’s first presidential election. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1791 – Louis XVI accepts the French Constitution

King Louis XVI of France formally accepted the new constitution during the French Revolution, temporarily transforming the French monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. (Wikipedia)

1807 – Beethoven’s Mass in C major premiered

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Mass in C major, Op. 86, was premiered in Eisenstadt, Austria. It was commissioned by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy. (Wikipedia)

1814 – Inspiration for “The Star-Spangled Banner”

During the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, American lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The experience inspired the poem that eventually became the lyrics of the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” (Wikipedia)

1847 – Battle of Chapultepec

During the Mexican-American War, U.S. forces captured Chapultepec Castle and entered Mexico City. Six Mexican military cadets, remembered as the Niños Héroes, died defending the fortress. (Wikipedia)

1848 – Phineas Gage survives a devastating brain injury

Railway worker Phineas Gage survived an extraordinary accident in which a large iron tamping rod passed through his skull and brain.

His subsequent behavioral changes became one of the most famous historical cases in the study of the relationship between the brain and personality. (Wikipedia)

1859 – U.S. Senator killed in a duel

California Senator David C. Broderick was fatally wounded in a duel with former California Chief Justice David S. Terry. Broderick died three days later, becoming the only sitting U.S. senator killed in a duel. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1862 – Lee’s battle plans discovered

During the American Civil War, Union soldiers discovered a copy of General Robert E. Lee’s Special Orders No. 191 near Frederick, Maryland. The document revealed the Confederate army’s plans and became an important intelligence opportunity before the Battle of Antietam. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1898 – Celluloid photographic film patented

American inventor Hannibal Goodwin received a patent related to flexible celluloid photographic film, an important development in the evolution of photography and motion pictures. (Wikipedia)

1900 – Battle of Pulang Lupa

Filipino forces defeated a U.S. military column at Pulang Lupa during the Philippine-American War. The victory demonstrated the continuing strength of Filipino resistance to American rule. (Today In History)

1901 – President William McKinley dies

U.S. President William McKinley, who had been shot by assassin Leon Czolgosz on September 6, died from his wounds on September 14? Correction: McKinley died on September 14, 1901, not September 13. Some “on this day” databases incorrectly associate the event with September 13, so it should not be listed as a September 13 death. (Today In History)

1940 – Buckingham Palace bombed

During the Second World War, German bombs struck Buckingham Palace in London. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were in the palace but survived the attack. (AP News)

1940 – Italy invades Egypt

Italian forces under Benito Mussolini crossed from Libya into Egypt, beginning an offensive against British forces during World War II. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1948 – Margaret Chase Smith makes U.S. history

Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman elected to both houses of the U.S. Congress when she won election to the U.S. Senate. (AP News)

1963 – Mary Kay cosmetics company launched

Entrepreneur Mary Kay Ash founded the company that became Mary Kay Inc., beginning with $5,000 of her savings. It eventually grew into a major international cosmetics business. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1971 – Attica prison uprising ends

The Attica prison uprising in New York ended when state police stormed the prison. Thirty-nine people—including prisoners and guards/other employees—were killed during the assault. The event became a major symbol in debates over prison conditions and prisoners’ rights. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1971 – Lin Biao dies in plane crash

Chinese military leader Lin Biao, once regarded as Mao Zedong’s successor, died when his aircraft crashed in Mongolia after he fled China amid an alleged coup attempt. (Calendarz)

1989 – Major anti-apartheid march in South Africa

A major anti-apartheid demonstration took place in Cape Town, led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and other religious and political figures. It became an important moment in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. (Calendarz)

1993 – Oslo Accords signed

One of the most significant diplomatic events associated with September 13 occurred in 1993, when Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat formally signed the Oslo Accords on the White House lawn in Washington, D.C.

The agreement established a framework for limited Palestinian self-government and represented a major attempt to advance Israeli-Palestinian peace. (Time and Date)

2001 – U.S. civilian air traffic resumes

Two days after the September 11 terrorist attacks, civilian aircraft operations began to resume in the United States after an unprecedented nationwide grounding of flights. (Calendarz)

2007 – UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, establishing an important international framework concerning the rights, cultures and self-determination of Indigenous peoples. (Histories Today)

2008 – Delhi bomb blasts

A series of coordinated bomb blasts struck Delhi, India, killing around 30 people and injuring more than 100. (Histories Today)

2010 – Rafael Nadal completes career Grand Slam

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal won the U.S. Open, completing a career Grand Slam—victories at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. (AP News)

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🎂 Famous People Born on September 13

1819 – Clara Schumann (1819–1896)

German pianist and composer, and one of the most influential female musicians of the 19th century.

1857 – Milton S. Hershey (1857–1945)

American businessman and founder of the Hershey chocolate company. His innovations helped popularize affordable chocolate products. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1860 – John J. Pershing (1860–1948)

American Army general who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. (Calendarz)

1903 – Claudette Colbert (1903–1996)

French-American actress and Academy Award winner, famous for films including It Happened One Night. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1916 – Roald Dahl (1916–1990)

British author of beloved children’s books including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG and James and the Giant Peach. (HISTORY TV Nederland)

1937 – Don Bluth

American animator, director and producer known for films such as The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail and The Land Before Time.

1944 – Peter Cetera

American singer, songwriter and former member of Chicago, known for songs such as “Glory of Love.”

1950 – Óscar Arias Sánchez

Costa Rican politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He served as President of Costa Rica and was awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize.

1969 – Shane Warne (1969–2022)

Australian cricket legend and one of the greatest leg-spin bowlers in cricket history. (Time and Date)

1969 – Tyler Perry

American filmmaker, actor, playwright and producer, widely known for creating and portraying Madea.

1989 – Thomas Müller

German footballer who became one of Germany’s most successful international players. (Time and Date)

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🕯️ Notable Deaths on September 13

81 – Titus

Roman emperor Titus, remembered for completing the Colosseum and for his response to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, died on September 13, 81 CE. (Kudos365)

1598 – Philip II of Spain

Philip II, king of Spain, Portugal and other territories, died in 1598. His reign coincided with the height of Spanish imperial power. (Time and Date)

1806 – Charles James Fox

Prominent British statesman and leading figure of the Whig political tradition.

1944 – W. Heath Robinson

British cartoonist and illustrator famous for elaborate, absurdly complicated imaginary machines. (Clockly)

1971 – Lin Biao

Chinese military commander and politician who died in the aircraft crash in Mongolia. (Calendarz)

1977 – Leopold Stokowski

British-American conductor renowned for his innovative orchestral work and international career. (Time and Date)

1996 – Tupac Shakur

American rapper, actor and cultural icon Tupac Shakur died on September 13, 1996, six days after being shot in Las Vegas. His death at age 25 had a profound impact on popular culture and hip-hop. (Time and Date)

1998 – George Wallace

American politician and four-term governor of Alabama, who died on September 13, 1998. (Wikimedia Commons)

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🇮🇳 September 13 and India

Some notable India-related events include:

• 2008: Delhi was struck by a series of coordinated bomb blasts, causing dozens of deaths and many injuries. (Histories Today)
• 1997: The funeral of Mother Teresa was held in Kolkata, attended by representatives from around the world. (AP News)

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⭐ Interesting Facts About September 13

• September 13, 1759: The British victory at the Plains of Abraham helped change the balance of power in North America. (Time and Date)
• September 13, 1848: The extraordinary survival of Phineas Gage became a landmark case in the history of neuroscience. (Wikipedia)
• September 13, 1916: One of the world’s most beloved children’s authors, Roald Dahl, was born. (HISTORY TV Nederland)
• September 13, 1993: The Oslo Accords marked one of the most important diplomatic attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Time and Date)
• September 13, 1996: Music legend Tupac Shakur died at only 25 years of age. (Time and Date)
• September 13, 2010: Rafael Nadal completed his career Grand Slam by winning the U.S. Open. (AP News)

📅 September 13 in one glance

Year	Event
509 BC	Temple of Jupiter dedicated in Rome
533	Belisarius defeats the Vandals
1501	Michelangelo begins David
1609	Henry Hudson reaches the Hudson River
1759	Battle of the Plains of Abraham
1788	New York designated temporary U.S. capital
1814	Francis Scott Key writes the poem behind the U.S. anthem
1848	Phineas Gage survives devastating brain injury
1862	Lee’s battle plans discovered
1898	Celluloid photographic film patent
1940	Italy invades Egypt
1948	Margaret Chase Smith elected to U.S. Senate
1971	Attica prison uprising ends
1989	Major anti-apartheid march in South Africa
1993	Oslo Accords signed
2007	UN adopts Indigenous Peoples declaration
2008	Delhi bomb blasts
2010	Nadal wins U.S. Open