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

March 13 holds a rich place in history with remarkable events shaping politics, science, and culture. On this day, significant treaties were signed, groundbreaking discoveries were made, and influential movements took root. It marks moments of courage, innovation, and transformation across the centuries. Many notable personalities were born or passed away on this date, leaving behind legacies that continue to inspire. March 13 reminds us how each day can hold stories of human achievement and change that influence the world we live in today.

Famous people born on March 13

1733 Joseph Priestley: English chemist and philosopher known for discovering oxygen.

1855 Percival Lowell: American astronomer who founded the Lowell Observatory.

1869 John Williamson: American film director and screenwriter from the silent era.

1884 Hugh Walpole: English novelist famous for his Herries Chronicles.

1900 Giorgos Seferis: Greek poet and Nobel Prize winner in Literature.

1911 L. Ron Hubbard: American author and founder of Scientology.

1913 William Casey: American intelligence officer and CIA Director.

1930 Jennie Lee: Scottish actress known for her work in British cinema.

1939 Neil Sedaka: American singer, songwriter, and pianist known for pop hits.

1940 Daniel Benzali: Brazilian American actor known for The Practice.

1942 Scatman John: American musician famous for his fusion of scat singing and dance music.

1949 Julia Migenes: American soprano and actress acclaimed for her opera performances.

1956 Dana Delany: American actress known for Desperate Housewives and Body of Proof.

1960 Adam Clayton: Irish musician and bassist for the band U2.

1967 Andrés Escobar: Colombian footballer remembered for his sportsmanship.

1972 Common: American rapper, actor, and activist.

1980 Emile Hirsch: American actor known for Into the Wild.

1985 Glenn Maxwell: Australian cricketer known for his explosive batting.

1992 Kaya Scodelario: English actress known for Skins and The Maze Runner.

1993 William Carvalho: Portuguese footballer known for his strong midfield play.

Famous Events on March 13

624: The Battle of Badr took place, marking the first major battle in Islamic history.

1567: The murder of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, led to political turmoil in Scotland.

1781: Astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, expanding humanity’s understanding of the solar system.

1845: Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto was first performed in Leipzig, Germany.

1881: Russian Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in Saint Petersburg by revolutionaries.

1897: San Diego State University originated from the establishment of the San Diego Normal School.

1930: Clyde Tombaugh announced the discovery of Pluto at Lowell Observatory in Arizona.

1933: Banks across the United States reopened after President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a banking holiday.

1940: The Russo-Finnish Winter War ended with the signing of the Moscow Peace Treaty.

1954: The Viet Minh captured the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu, marking a key moment in the First Indochina War.

1969: Apollo 9 returned safely to Earth after testing the Lunar Module in space.

1989: A geomagnetic storm caused by a solar flare knocked out power across Quebec, Canada.

1996: A tragic school shooting occurred in Dunblane, Scotland, leading to major gun law reforms.

2013: Pope Francis was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

2020: The United States announced a national emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Famous People Who Died on March 13

1781 Johann Reinhold Forster: German naturalist and explorer who accompanied Captain Cook.

1881 Alexander II of Russia: Reformist tsar assassinated in Saint Petersburg.

1901 Benjamin Harrison: 23rd President of the United States.

1906 Susan B. Anthony: American social reformer and women's rights activist.

1925 Sun Yat-sen: Chinese revolutionary and founding father of the Republic of China.

1938 Clarence Darrow: American lawyer known for the Scopes Trial.

1940 Mikhail Bulgakov: Russian novelist and playwright known for The Master and Margarita.

1943 Stephen Vincent Benét: American poet and short story writer.

1967 Alice B. Toklas: American writer and partner of Gertrude Stein.

1973 Henri Verneuil: French Armenian filmmaker and screenwriter.

1975 Ivo Andrić: Yugoslav novelist and Nobel Prize laureate.

1996 Krzysztof Kieślowski: Polish film director known for The Decalogue and Three Colors trilogy.

2006 Maureen Stapleton: American actress and Academy Award winner.

2014 Ahmad Tejan Kabbah: Former President of Sierra Leone.

2016 Hilary Putnam: American philosopher and mathematician.

2019 Birch Bayh: American politician and author of constitutional amendments.

2020 Dana Zzyym: American intersex and nonbinary rights activist.

2021 Murray Walker: British motorsport commentator.

2022 William Hurt: American actor and Academy Award winner.

2023 Costa Titch: South African rapper and songwriter.

March 13 stands out as a day marked by discovery, leadership, and transformation across centuries. From scientific breakthroughs and historic political events to the births and deaths of influential figures, this date reflects humanity’s constant pursuit of knowledge, progress, and justice. It serves as a reminder that each moment in history contributes to shaping the world we know today, inspiring future generations to continue striving for innovation and positive change.