This day in history: 13 october

Europa

• The Arrest of the Knights Templar (1307)
  On October 13, 1307, hundreds of members of the Knights Templar, a powerful and wealthy medieval order, were arrested across France by agents of King Philip IV (“Philip the Fair”). The Templars were accused of heresy and later subjected to torture and executions. This event marked the beginning of the end for the Templar order, which was officially disbanded a few years later under pressure from the French crown on the papacy.
• The dramatic and sudden nature of the arrests, combined with the subsequent persecution, has contributed to the lasting mystique and superstition surrounding Friday the 13th in Western culture.
• The “Miracle of the Sun” at Fátima, Portugal (1917)
  On October 13, 1917, an estimated 70,000 people witnessed what became known as the “Miracle of the Sun” in Fátima, Portugal. This event occurred during a series of Marian apparitions reported by three shepherd children and is considered one of the most famous religious phenomena of the 20th century.
• In 1943, Italy, under Marshal Pietro Badoglio, officially declared war on Germany, signaling a crucial shift in alliances during World War II.
• On October 13, 1944, the Soviet Riga Offensive resulted in the capture of Riga, Latvia, from German forces.
• Also on October 13, 1944, Allied forces liberated Athens from German occupation, and the Germans launched V-1 and V-2 flying bombs at Antwerp, Belgium, attempting to disrupt the Allies’ use of the port.
• In 1582, due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, October 13 did not exist in Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain that year, as the calendar skipped ahead to correct for inaccuracies in the Julian calendar.
• In 1269, Westminster Abbey in London was consecrated, marking a significant moment in British religious and architectural history.

America

• The Birth of the United States Navy (1775)
  On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Navy, marking the official birth of what would become the United States Navy. This move was crucial for the American colonies as they sought to challenge British naval dominance during the Revolutionary War. The U.S. Navy’s establishment is now celebrated annually as the Navy’s birthday.
• Laying the Cornerstone of the White House (1792)
  Construction of the White House began on October 13, 1792, when the cornerstone was laid in Washington, D.C. The building would later become the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, with John Adams being the first to occupy it in 1800.
• Columbus Sights Land in the Americas (1492)
  On October 13, 1492, Christopher Columbus reportedly sighted land in the Americas during his first voyage, a pivotal moment in world and American history.
• In 1845, Texas voters ratified a state constitution, paving the way for Texas to join the United States.
• In 1914, Garrett Augustus Morgan of Cleveland received a patent for his invention of a gas mask, a significant development in safety technology.
• In 1944, American troops entered Aachen, Germany, during World War II, marking a key moment in the Allied advance in Europe.
• In 1960, the third televised U.S. presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon took place, a milestone in American political history.
• In 1972, the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in the Andes became known as the “Miracle of the Andes,” with survivors enduring extreme conditions for over two months before being rescued.

Asia

• Chinese “Volunteer” Army Enters Korean War (1950)
  On October 13, 1950, as United Nations and allied forces approached the Chinese border during the Korean War, China sent a “volunteer” army to support North Korea. This intervention marked a turning point in the conflict, leading to a prolonged and bloody stalemate and shaping the geopolitics of East Asia for decades.
• Ankara Becomes the Capital of Turkey (1923)
  On October 13, 1923, Ankara officially replaced Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) as the capital of Turkey. This move, orchestrated by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was a key part of the modernization and secularization reforms of the new Turkish Republic.
• Deadly Stampede During Navratri Festival in India (2013)
  On October 13, 2013, a tragic stampede occurred near the Ratangarh Mata Temple in Datia district, Madhya Pradesh, India, during the Hindu festival of Navratri. At least 115 people were killed and more than 110 injured.
• Significant Births and Deaths in India
  October 13 marks the birth anniversaries of notable Indian figures such as Bhulabhai Desai and Ashok Kumar, and the death anniversaries of Kishore Kumar and Nirupa Roy.
• In 1993, a series of earthquakes in Papua New Guinea triggered massive landslides, resulting in at least 60 deaths.
• On October 13, 2016, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, the world’s longest-reigning monarch at the time, passed away, marking the end of an era for Thailand.
• In 2004, China rejected a peace initiative from Taiwan, reflecting ongoing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Africa

• Mauritanian President Shot and Injured (2012)
  On October 13, 2012, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was shot and injured. Official reports indicated the shooting was accidental, caused by the military, but the incident led to significant political tension in the country.
• Open Rebellion in South Africa During World War I (1914)
  On October 13, 1914, an open rebellion led by Lieutenant Colonel Maritz broke out in South Africa. This event was part of the broader unrest during World War I, as some Afrikaner nationalists opposed South Africa’s participation on the side of the British Empire.
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1984)
  Although the exact date of the announcement is sometimes listed as October 16, various sources commemorate Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle against apartheid around this time in October 1984. His recognition symbolized a major milestone in the anti-apartheid movement.
• October 13 has seen a range of significant political developments in Africa, including coups, independence movements, and notable activism. For example, the continent has witnessed events such as military coups in Lesotho, the opening of the “Sharpeville Six” murder trial in South Africa, and calls from frontline states for the release of Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid.
• African Diaspora: Edith Spurlock Sampson’s Birth (1898)
  On October 13, 1898, Edith Spurlock Sampson, the first African-American appointed to the United Nations, was born. While her achievements were in the United States, her legacy is significant in the context of the African diaspora and global Black history.
• Athletics: Brigid Kosgei’s Marathon World Record (2019)
  On October 13, 2019, Kenyan athlete Brigid Kosgei set a new world record for the women’s marathon, finishing the Chicago Marathon in 2:14:04, a landmark achievement in African and global sports history.