Europa
- 1111: Henry V, King of Germany, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor, a significant event in the history of the Holy Roman Empire.
- 1204: Constantinople fell to the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade, marking a pivotal moment that temporarily ended the Byzantine Empire and shifted the balance of power in Eastern Europe.
- 1275: Death of Eleanor of England, Countess of Leicester, daughter of King John of England, at Montargis Abbey, France.
- 1455: The Battle for Kneiphof began during the Thirteen Years’ War, a conflict that shaped the future of the Teutonic Order and Poland.
- 1519: Birth of Catherine de Medici, who would become Queen of France and a major political figure during the French Wars of Religion.
- 1598: King Henry IV of France signed the Edict of Nantes, granting political rights to French Protestant Huguenots and ending decades of religious conflict in France.
- 1742: George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah premiered in Dublin, Ireland, a landmark in European musical history.
- 1829: The Roman Catholic Relief Act was passed in the United Kingdom, granting Roman Catholics the right to vote and sit in Parliament, a major step in religious emancipation.
- 1849: Lajos Kossuth presented the Hungarian Declaration of Independence, a key moment in the 1848–49 revolutions that swept Europe.
- 1895: French officer Alfred Dreyfus was imprisoned on Devil’s Island, a central event in the Dreyfus Affair, which exposed deep divisions in French society over anti-Semitism and justice.
- 1941: German troops captured Belgrade, Yugoslavia, during World War II, marking a significant Axis victory in the Balkans.
- 1945: The Vienna Offensive ended with the Soviet capture of Vienna, a decisive moment in the final months of World War II in Europe. On the same day, the Gardelegen massacre occurred in Germany, where over 1,000 slave laborers were killed by German SS and Luftwaffe troops.
America
- In 1818, a new U.S. flag with thirteen stripes representing the original colonies was flown over the Capitol for the first time.
- In 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in New York City, which would become one of the world’s leading art museums.
- In 1960, the United States launched Transit 1-B, the world’s first satellite navigation system, primarily for the U.S. Navy.
- In 1997, Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer and the first person of African heritage to win the Masters Tournament at age 21, a milestone in sports history.
Asia
1598: Queen Nzinga Mbande Becomes Ruler of the Matamba Kingdom (Angola)
Queen Nzinga Mbande, a formidable leader in 17th-century Angola, ascended to the throne of the Matamba Kingdom. She is renowned for her resistance against Portuguese colonization and her diplomatic and military skills, which made her a symbol of anti-colonial struggle in Africa.
1964: Jomo Kenyatta Becomes Prime Minister of Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta, a central figure in Kenya’s fight for independence, assumed the role of Prime Minister following the country’s liberation from British colonial rule. His leadership marked a pivotal moment in Kenya’s transition to self-governance and eventual republic status.
1975: Outbreak of Civil War in Chad
On this day, civil war erupted in Chad as various factions vied for control after independence from France. The conflict led to years of instability and turmoil, deeply affecting the nation’s political and social landscape.
1992: Nelson Mandela Announces ANC’s Acceptance of Negotiations
Nelson Mandela, the iconic anti-apartheid leader, announced that the African National Congress (ANC) was willing to negotiate with the South African government. This announcement was a crucial step toward ending apartheid and establishing democratic reforms in South Africa.
2005: Sudanese Government and Rebels Sign Peace Agreement
After years of devastating civil war, the Sudanese government and rebel groups signed a comprehensive peace agreement. This accord brought hope for stability and reconciliation in the war-torn region of Darfur.
1978: Death of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (Nigeria)
Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, a pioneering Nigerian teacher, political activist, and women’s rights campaigner, passed away on April 13, 1978. She was a leading figure in the fight for women’s suffrage and social justice in Nigeria.
1868: Death of Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia
Emperor Tewodros II, a significant figure in Ethiopian history known for his efforts to modernize the country and resist foreign intervention, died on April 13, 1868.
Africa
- 1598: Queen Nzinga Mbande becomes ruler of the Matamba Kingdom (Angola), leading resistance against Portuguese colonization.
- 1964: Jomo Kenyatta becomes Prime Minister of Kenya after independence from Britain.
- 1975: President François (N’Garta) Tombalbaye of Chad is killed in a military coup, ending his 15-year rule.
- 1975: Civil war breaks out in Chad, leading to years of instability.
- 1992: Nelson Mandela announces the ANC’s acceptance of negotiations with South Africa’s apartheid government, paving the way for democratic reforms.
- 2005: Sudanese government and rebels sign a peace agreement, bringing hope for stability in Darfur.
- 1961: The UN General Assembly condemns South African racial discrimination as “reprehensible and repugnant to human dignity” by a vote of 95-1.