🔍
Go To:

On This Day

March 13

YEAR 2020

President Donald Trump declares the COVID-19 pandemic to be a national emergency in the United States.

President Donald Trump declares the COVID-19 pandemic to be a national emergency in the United States.

YEAR 2020

Breonna Taylor is killed by police officers who were forcibly entering her home in Louisville, Kentucky; her death sparked extensive protests against...

Breonna Taylor is killed by police officers who were forcibly entering her home in Louisville, Kentucky; her death sparked extensive protests against racism and police brutality.

YEAR 2020

Katerina Sakellaropoulou is sworn in as the first female President of Greece amid strict COVID-19 measures.

Katerina Sakellaropoulou is sworn in as the first female President of Greece amid strict COVID-19 measures.

YEAR 2016

The Ankara bombing kills at least 37 people.

The Ankara bombing kills at least 37 people.

YEAR 2016

Three gunmen attack two hotels in the Ivory Coast town of Grand-Bassam, killing at least 19 people.

Three gunmen attack two hotels in the Ivory Coast town of Grand-Bassam, killing at least 19 people.

YEAR 2015

Serbian Army Mi-17 helicopter crashes near Belgrade airport while transporting a 5-day-old baby with respiratory problems to hospital, killing all 7 o...

Serbian Army Mi-17 helicopter crashes near Belgrade airport while transporting a 5-day-old baby with respiratory problems to hospital, killing all 7 on board.

YEAR 2013

The 2013 papal conclave elects Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio taking the name Pope Francis as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church.

The 2013 papal conclave elects Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio taking the name Pope Francis as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church.

YEAR 2012

The Sierre coach crash kills 28 people, including 22 children.

The Sierre coach crash kills 28 people, including 22 children.

YEAR 2003

An article in Nature identifies the Ciampate del Diavolo as 350,000-year-old hominid footprints.

An article in Nature identifies the Ciampate del Diavolo as 350,000-year-old hominid footprints.

YEAR 1997

The Missionaries of Charity choose Sister Nirmala to succeed Mother Teresa as their leader.

The Missionaries of Charity choose Sister Nirmala to succeed Mother Teresa as their leader.

YEAR 1996

The Dunblane massacre leads to the death of sixteen primary school children and one teacher in Dunblane, Scotland.

The Dunblane massacre leads to the death of sixteen primary school children and one teacher in Dunblane, Scotland.

YEAR 1993

The 1993 Storm of the Century affects the eastern United States, dropping feet of snow in many areas.

The 1993 Storm of the Century affects the eastern United States, dropping feet of snow in many areas.

YEAR 1992

The Mw  6.6 Erzincan earthquake strikes eastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe).

The Mw  6.6 Erzincan earthquake strikes eastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe).

YEAR 1989

Space Shuttle Discovery launches on STS-29 carrying the TDRS-4 satellite.

Space Shuttle Discovery launches on STS-29 carrying the TDRS-4 satellite.

YEAR 1988

The Seikan Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the world with an undersea segment, opens between Aomori and Hakodate, Japan.

The Seikan Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the world with an undersea segment, opens between Aomori and Hakodate, Japan.

YEAR 1979

The New Jewel Movement, headed by Maurice Bishop, ousts the Prime Minister of Grenada, Eric Gairy, in a coup d'état.

The New Jewel Movement, headed by Maurice Bishop, ousts the Prime Minister of Grenada, Eric Gairy, in a coup d'état.

YEAR 1974

Sierra Pacific Airlines Flight 802 crashes into the White Mountains near Bishop, California, killing 36.

Sierra Pacific Airlines Flight 802 crashes into the White Mountains near Bishop, California, killing 36.

YEAR 1969

Apollo 9 returns safely to Earth after testing the Lunar Module.

Apollo 9 returns safely to Earth after testing the Lunar Module.

YEAR 1964

Kitty Genovese is murdered in New York City, prompting research into the bystander effect due to the false story that neighbors witnessed the killing...

Kitty Genovese is murdered in New York City, prompting research into the bystander effect due to the false story that neighbors witnessed the killing and did nothing to help her.

YEAR 1957

Cuban student revolutionaries storm the presidential palace in Havana in a failed attempt on the life of President Fulgencio Batista.

Cuban student revolutionaries storm the presidential palace in Havana in a failed attempt on the life of President Fulgencio Batista.