January 13 in History: Famous Births, Events, and Deaths

January 13th has witnessed several remarkable moments in history, from political milestones to scientific breakthroughs. It is a day that celebrates the achievements of notable personalities who made lasting contributions to art, science, and culture. Many important events, discoveries, and historical changes took place on this date, shaping the course of human progress and inspiring future generations.

Famous People Born on January 13th

1808 Salmon P. Chase: American politician and Chief Justice of the United States

1832 Horatio Alger Jr.: American author known for his young adult novels about success through hard work

1869 Karl Friedrich Bonhoeffer: German chemist known for his work in physical chemistry

1884 Sophie Tucker: American singer and comedian, known as “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas”

1941 Richard Moll: American actor known for his role on the TV show Night Court

1957 Suggs (Graham McPherson): English singer-songwriter, lead singer of the band Madness

1977 Orlando Bloom: British actor famous for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean

1990 Liam Hemsworth: Australian actor known for The Hunger Games film series

1999 Natalia Dyer: American actress best known for her role in Stranger Things

Famous Events that Happened on January 13th

1794: U.S. Congress changed the U.S. flag to 15 stars and 15 stripes after Kentucky and Vermont joined the Union.

1842: British troops were massacred in Afghanistan during the retreat from Kabul, a key event in the First Anglo-Afghan War.

1893: The Independent Labour Party was founded in Bradford, England, marking a milestone in British political history.

1910: The first public radio broadcast took place in New York City, featuring a live performance of “Cavalleria Rusticana.”

1930: Mickey Mouse comic strip debuted in newspapers, created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.

1968: Johnny Cash performed his legendary live concert at Folsom Prison in California.

1982: An Air Florida Boeing 737 crashed into the Potomac River shortly after takeoff from Washington, D.C., killing 78 people.

1990: Douglas Wilder became the first elected African-American governor in U.S. history, serving the state of Virginia.

2012: The Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Italy, resulting in 32 deaths.

2021: The U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump for the second time, a first in American history.

Famous People Who Died on January 13th

888 Charles III (Charles the Fat): Holy Roman Emperor and King of the Franks

1599 Edmund Spenser: English poet best known for his epic poem The Faerie Queene

1864 Stephen Foster: American songwriter known for classics like Oh! Susanna and Camptown Races

1906 Alexander Popov: Russian physicist and radio pioneer

1941 James Joyce: Irish novelist and poet, author of Ulysses and Dubliners

1974 Patrick Blackett: British physicist and Nobel Prize winner in Physics

1997 Melvin Calvin: American chemist, Nobel Prize laureate known for the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis

2002 Ted Demme: American film director and producer, known for Blow

2017 Dick Gautier: American actor, comedian, and singer, famous for his role in Get Smart

2021 Siegfried Fischbacher: German magician and one half of the duo Siegfried & Roy

January 13th stands out as a day marked by significant events, remarkable achievements, and the remembrance of influential figures who left a lasting impact on history. From groundbreaking political milestones to artistic and scientific contributions, this date highlights humanity’s continual journey of discovery and expression. It serves as a reminder that each day carries the potential for change, inspiration, and progress across generations.