March 13 stands as a significant date across centuries, marked by pivotal events in history. From the naming of Harvard College in 1639 to the discovery of Uranus in 1781, this day has witnessed milestones in education, science, and beyond. Political shifts, cultural triumphs, and sporting feats also define its legacy. What specific moments shaped this date? Uncover the stories that weave together March 13’s remarkable tapestry.
History
Major Historical Events
1639 – Harvard College Named: On this day, Harvard College, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States, was named after clergyman John Harvard, who had bequeathed half of his estate and his library to the school upon his death.
This act of generosity helped establish the foundation for what would become a prestigious university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
1781 – Discovery of Uranus: British astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, marking the first planet to be identified with a telescope.
Initially mistaking it for a comet, Herschel later confirmed its planetary status.
This expanded the known boundaries of the solar system.
1865 – Confederate States Enlist Slaves: During the American Civil War, the Confederate Congress passed a bill allowing enslaved African Americans to be enlisted as soldiers in the Confederate Army.
This desperate measure, taken late in the war, aimed to bolster dwindling troop numbers.
It had little practical effect as the Confederacy collapsed soon after.
1921 – Mongolia Declares Independence: Mongolia declared its independence from China on March 13, following years of political upheaval and foreign influence.
With support from the Soviet Union, this marked a significant step toward establishing a modern Mongolian state.
1969 – Apollo 9 Returns to Earth: NASA’s Apollo 9 mission successfully concluded as the spacecraft splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean after a 10-day mission.
This mission tested critical components of the lunar module in Earth orbit.
It was a key stepping stone in the journey to the Moon later that year with Apollo 11.
Famous Birthdays
1593 – Georges de La Tour: French Baroque painter Georges de La Tour was born on this day in Vic-sur-Seille, France.
Renowned for his dramatic use of light and shadow in religious and genre scenes, his works remain influential in art history.
1733 – Joseph Priestley: English chemist, theologian, and philosopher Joseph Priestley was born in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
He is best known for his discovery of oxygen and his contributions to the study of gases.
He also played a role as a dissenting clergyman advocating for religious and political reform.
1911 – L. Ron Hubbard: American author and founder of the Church of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, was born in Tilden, Nebraska.
Initially known for his science fiction and fantasy writing, he later developed the controversial religious movement that gained global attention.
1950 – William H. Macy: Acclaimed American actor William H. Macy was born in Miami, Florida.
Known for his versatile roles in films like “Fargo” and the television series “Shameless,” Macy has earned numerous awards for his performances.
Notable Deaths
1879 – Adolf Anderssen: German chess master Adolf Anderssen passed away on this day in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland).
Often regarded as the world’s leading chess player in the mid-19th century, he was known for his brilliant and aggressive style of play.
1906 – Susan B. Anthony: American suffragist and women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony died on March 13 in Rochester, New York.
A tireless advocate for women’s right to vote, her work laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
2013 – Malachi Throne: American actor Malachi Throne, known for his roles in television series such as “Star Trek” and “Batman,” passed away on this day in Brentwood, California.
His distinctive voice and commanding presence made him a memorable character actor.
Today in Music History
1964 – Billboard Hot 100 Dominated by The Beatles: On March 13, The Beatles held the top three spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You,” and “Please Please Me.”
This unprecedented achievement showcased their meteoric rise to global fame during the height of Beatlemania.
1971 – The Allman Brothers Band Live Recording: The Allman Brothers Band recorded their iconic live album “At Fillmore East” during a performance on this day in New York City.
Released later that year, the album became a landmark in Southern rock and blues.
1993 – Eric Clapton’s Grammy Sweep: Eric Clapton dominated the Grammy Awards on this date, winning six awards, including Album of the Year for “Unplugged.”
The acoustic live album highlighted his emotional depth and musical talent.
This cemented his status as a rock legend.
Today in Sports History
1894 – First Professional Striptease Performance: Though not a traditional sport, the first documented professional striptease performance occurred on this day at the Divan Fayonau Music Hall in Paris.
This marked an unusual but notable moment in entertainment history often tied to physical performance.
1960 – Wilt Chamberlain’s Record Game: Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain scored 53 points for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Syracuse Nationals on March 13.
This further solidified his reputation as one of the most dominant players in NBA history.
Today in Military and Naval History
1862 – Union Forces Capture New Madrid: During the American Civil War, Union forces under General John Pope captured the Confederate stronghold of New Madrid, Missouri, on March 13.
This victory gave the Union control over a key position on the Mississippi River.
1942 – U.S. Army Establishes K-9 Corps: On this day, the U.S. Army officially established its K-9 Corps.
This began the formal training of dogs for military service.
These canine units would go on to play essential roles in World War II and beyond, assisting in detection and patrol duties.
1991 – Operation Desert Storm Ceasefire: Although the formal ceasefire for Operation Desert Storm was declared earlier, on March 13, 1991, the U.S. military continued to finalize troop movements.
They also secured positions in the aftermath of the Gulf War.
This marked a significant step toward ending active combat operations.
Today in Tech and Science History
1781 – Uranus Discovered by William Herschel: As mentioned earlier, British astronomer William Herschel identified Uranus on this day.
This was a groundbreaking discovery that expanded human understanding of the solar system.
It demonstrated the power of telescopic observation.
2013 – Announcement of Higgs Boson Confirmation: On March 13, scientists at CERN confirmed the discovery of the Higgs boson particle, often called the “God particle.”
This followed experiments at the Large Hadron Collider.
The finding validated key aspects of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1852 – Uncle Sam Cartoon Debuts: The iconic image of Uncle Sam, symbolizing the United States government, first appeared in a cartoon on this day in the New York Lantern newspaper.
This character would go on to become a lasting emblem of American identity.
1923 – Premiere of “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” Film: The silent film adaptation of Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” starring Lon Chaney, premiered on this day in some regions.
Chaney’s transformative performance as Quasimodo became a defining moment in early cinema history.
1962 – Publication of “Silent Spring” Impact: While Rachel Carson’s environmental book “Silent Spring” was published later in the year, on March 13, 1962, early excerpts and discussions began circulating.
This raised awareness about the dangers of pesticides.
It sparked the modern environmental movement.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1884 – U.S. Adopts Standard Time Zones: On this day, the United States officially adopted standard time zones.
This was inspired by the railroad industry’s need for synchronized schedules.
Before this, towns set their own clocks, often leading to hilarious confusion when travelers missed trains due to mismatched times.
1930 – Pluto’s Discovery Announced: Although discovered earlier, the name “Pluto” for the newly identified dwarf planet was officially announced on March 13, 1930.
Amusingly, the name was suggested by an 11-year-old girl, Venetia Burney.
She was inspired by the Roman god of the underworld and, coincidentally, the Disney character.
Today in History for Kids
1781 – A New Planet Found: Imagine looking through a telescope and finding a whole new planet!
That’s what happened on March 13 when William Herschel discovered Uranus.
It was the first planet found with a telescope, and it showed kids back then that there was so much more to explore in space.
1639 – Harvard Gets Its Name: A long time ago, on this day, a school called Harvard College got its name from a kind man named John Harvard who gave money and books to help it grow.
Today, it’s one of the most famous schools in the world.
This shows how one person’s help can make a big difference.
1942 – Dogs Join the Army: Did you know dogs can be soldiers?
On March 13, the U.S. Army started training dogs to help in wars.
These brave pups sniffed out danger and protected soldiers, proving that even animals can be heroes.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1921 – Mongolia’s Bold Move: On March 13, Mongolia declared itself independent from China.
This was a huge moment for a small country surrounded by powerful neighbors.
It’s a reminder of how determination can change a nation’s future.
1969 – Apollo 9’s Safe Return: When Apollo 9 splashed down on this day, astronauts had just finished testing equipment needed to land on the Moon.
This mission was like a big rehearsal for the amazing Moon landing that happened just a few months later.
1884 – Time Gets Organized: Before March 13, 1884, every town in the U.S. had its own time, which made traveling super confusing.
When standard time zones were created, it was like the whole country finally agreed to set their clocks together.
2013 – A Tiny Particle Makes Big News: Scientists cheered on this day when they confirmed the Higgs boson, a super tiny particle that helps explain why things have mass.
It’s like finding the last piece of a giant puzzle about how the universe works.