November 13 has witnessed a remarkable array of historical events across centuries. From the birth of influential figures to catastrophic natural disasters, this date holds a unique place in time. Significant milestones in theology, exploration, and entertainment have shaped cultures worldwide on this day. What specific moments stand out, and how did they impact the world? Uncover the stories that define November 13 and its lasting legacy.
History
Major Historical Events
354 – Birth of St. Augustine of Hippo: One of the most influential Christian theologians and philosophers, St. Augustine, was born on this day in Thagaste, a Roman province in North Africa. His works, such as “Confessions” and “City of God,” shaped Western Christianity and philosophy for centuries.
1002 – St. Brice’s Day Massacre: King Æthelred II of England ordered the massacre of Danish settlers in England on this day, an event spurred by growing tensions and fears of Danish invasion. This violent act contributed to further conflict with Denmark in the years that followed.
1851 – Opening of the Denny Party’s Claim in Seattle: The Denny Party, a group of American pioneers, arrived at Alki Point on this day, marking the founding of what would later become Seattle, Washington. This small settlement laid the foundation for a major Pacific Northwest city.
1940 – Release of Disney’s Fantasia: Walt Disney’s animated masterpiece “Fantasia” premiered on this day in New York City. Combining classical music with innovative animation, the film became a landmark in cinematic history despite initial commercial struggles.
1985 – Nevado del Ruiz Eruption in Colombia: A catastrophic volcanic eruption of Nevado del Ruiz occurred on this day, triggering deadly lahars (mudflows) that killed over 23,000 people in the town of Armero and surrounding areas. It remains one of the deadliest volcanic disasters in history.
Famous Birthdays
354 – St. Augustine of Hippo: The renowned Christian theologian and philosopher was born on this day in Thagaste, Roman North Africa. His teachings and writings profoundly influenced Christian doctrine and Western thought.
1312 – Edward III of England: Born on this day at Windsor Castle, Edward III became one of England’s most successful medieval kings, reigning for over 50 years and leading the country through the early stages of the Hundred Years’ War.
1850 – Robert Louis Stevenson: The celebrated Scottish author, known for classics like “Treasure Island” and “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” was born on this day in Edinburgh. His storytelling continues to fascinate readers worldwide.
1955 – Whoopi Goldberg: The acclaimed American actress, comedian, and television host was born on this day in New York City. Known for her roles in films like “The Color Purple” and “Ghost,” she is one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status.
1969 – Gerard Butler: The Scottish actor, famous for roles in films like “300” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” was born on this day in Paisley, Scotland. His powerful on-screen presence has made him a Hollywood staple.
Notable Deaths
867 – Pope Nicholas I: Known as Nicholas the Great, this influential pope passed away on this day. His papacy was marked by efforts to strengthen papal authority and reform the church during a turbulent era.
1460 – Prince Henry the Navigator: The Portuguese prince, a key figure in the Age of Exploration, died on this day in Sagres, Portugal. He sponsored numerous voyages that expanded European knowledge of the African coast.
1868 – Gioachino Rossini: The Italian composer, renowned for operas like “The Barber of Seville,” passed away on this day in Passy, France. His music remains a cornerstone of the classical repertoire.
1974 – Vittorio De Sica: The Italian film director and actor, a pioneer of neorealism with masterpieces like “Bicycle Thieves,” died on this day in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. His work profoundly shaped modern cinema.
Today in Music History
1940 – Premiere of Disney’s Fantasia: As mentioned earlier, “Fantasia” debuted on this day in New York City, featuring classical compositions like Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony paired with groundbreaking animation. It remains a cultural milestone.
1956 – Release of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me”: Elvis Presley’s hit single “Love Me” was released on this day as part of his early rise to stardom. The song showcased his signature blend of rock and emotion, fascinating a generation.
1971 – Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” Peaks: Santana’s iconic cover of “Black Magic Woman,” originally by Fleetwood Mac, reached its peak position on the Billboard Hot 100 on this day. The song became a defining track of Latin rock.
Today in Sports History
1979 – First NHL Goalie to Score a Goal: On this day, Billy Smith of the New York Islanders became the first NHL goalie to be credited with scoring a goal during a game against the Colorado Rockies. The historic moment came via an own goal by the opposing team.
1997 – Eddie Robinson’s Final Game: Legendary Grambling State University football coach Eddie Robinson coached his final game on this day, ending a 57-year career with 408 wins, making him one of the most successful coaches in college football history.
Today in Military and Naval History
1002 – St. Brice’s Day Massacre: As previously noted, King Æthelred II’s order to kill Danish settlers in England on this day escalated tensions with Denmark, contributing to subsequent invasions by Danish forces.
1941 – Sinking of HMS Ark Royal: During World War II, the British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal was torpedoed by a German U-boat on this day near Gibraltar. The ship sank the following day, marking a significant loss for the Royal Navy.
1942 – Battle of Guadalcanal Naval Engagement: A fierce naval battle began on this day during the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The U.S. Navy clashed with Japanese forces in a critical fight for control of the Solomon Islands.
Today in Tech and Science History
1971 – Mariner 9 Orbits Mars: NASA’s Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to orbit Mars on this day, providing detailed images of the planet’s surface and atmosphere. It marked a major step in planetary exploration.
2012 – Total Solar Eclipse Visible in Australia: A rare total solar eclipse occurred on this day, visible from parts of northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean. Thousands of skywatchers gathered to witness the phenomenon.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1850 – Birth of Robert Louis Stevenson: As noted earlier, the iconic author of adventure and horror classics was born on this day, leaving an indelible mark on literature with his imaginative storytelling.
1940 – Disney’s Fantasia Premiere: This groundbreaking film, blending art and music, debuted on this day, pushing the boundaries of animation and influencing generations of filmmakers and artists.
1985 – Debut of “Calvin and Hobbes” Comic Strip: Bill Watterson’s beloved comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” was first published on this day in newspapers across the United States. It became a cultural phenomenon with its whimsical humor and philosophical undertones.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1927 – Opening of the Holland Tunnel: The Holland Tunnel, connecting New York City and Jersey City under the Hudson River, officially opened on this day.
At the time, it was considered an engineering marvel, though early drivers were amused by the novelty of driving underwater.
1974 – Karen Silkwood’s Mysterious Death: On this day, nuclear whistleblower Karen Silkwood died in a suspicious car crash while reportedly carrying evidence of safety violations at a plutonium plant.
Her story inspired conspiracy theories and the 1983 film “Silkwood.”
Today in History for Kids
354 – A Great Thinker is Born: St. Augustine, a man who wrote important books about God and life, was born on this day a long, long time ago in a place called North Africa. His ideas are still read by people today!
1851 – Seattle’s First Settlers: A group of pioneers called the Denny Party arrived at a beach in Washington on this day. They started a tiny village that grew into the big city of Seattle, where lots of people live now.
1940 – A Magical Movie Debuts: Disney’s “Fantasia” came out on this day, showing cartoons with beautiful music. It was like nothing anyone had seen before, with dancing hippos and magical brooms!
1985 – A Funny Comic Begins: A comic strip about a boy named Calvin and his tiger friend Hobbes started on this day. Kids everywhere loved reading their funny adventures in the newspaper.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1002 – A Royal Mistake: King Æthelred II’s decision to attack Danish settlers on this day backfired when Denmark’s king later invaded England as revenge, showing how one choice can change history.
1941 – A Carrier’s Last Stand: The sinking of HMS Ark Royal on this day (after being torpedoed the day before) was a blow to Britain, but the crew’s bravery in trying to save the ship became a story of courage.
1971 – Mars Up Close: When Mariner 9 started orbiting Mars on this day, it sent back pictures showing huge volcanoes and canyons, proving Mars was more exciting than anyone had imagined.
1985 – A Volcano’s Wrath: The Nevado del Ruiz eruption on this day taught the world how dangerous mudflows from volcanoes can be, leading to better warning systems to save lives in the future.