Mongol Forces Capture and Sack Baghdad
On February 13, 1258, Mongol armies under Hulagu Khan completed their capture of Baghdad, then the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. After breaching the city’s defenses days earlier, they overran the remaining resistance and deposed Caliph al-Mustaʿsim. According to medieval chroniclers, libraries, palaces, and mosques were destroyed in the violence that followed, and a major center of Islamic scholarship never fully regained its former stature. The fall of Baghdad marked a turning point in the political and cultural map of the Middle East, signaling the effective end of Abbasid temporal power.
Catherine Howard, Fifth Wife of Henry VIII, Executed
On February 13, 1542, Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of England’s King Henry VIII, was executed at the Tower of London. Accused of adultery and treason, the young queen was condemned without a full formal trial, a grim echo of the fate of her cousin Anne Boleyn. Contemporary reports describe her as composed at the scaffold, making a brief speech before her beheading. Her death further darkened the reputation of Henry’s court and highlighted the lethal mix of politics, intimacy, and suspicion in Tudor England.
Galileo Galilei Arrives in Rome to Face the Inquisition
On February 13, 1633, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome after being summoned by the Roman Inquisition. His support for the heliocentric model, which placed the Sun at the center of the solar system, was under scrutiny as potentially heretical. Over the following months he was interrogated about his book Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, which had drawn sharp criticism from church authorities. The case ended with Galileo’s forced recantation and house arrest, but his observations continued to shape astronomy and scientific method long after his trial.
William III and Mary II Proclaimed Co-Rulers of England
On February 13, 1689, England’s Convention Parliament formally proclaimed William III and Mary II as joint sovereigns. James II had fled the previous year in what became known as the Glorious Revolution, opening the way for a new constitutional arrangement. The proclamation was tied to the Declaration of Rights, which set limits on royal authority and affirmed certain parliamentary and individual liberties. This settlement helped anchor the English monarchy within a constitutional framework that influenced later democratic developments in Britain and beyond.
First Students Attend the University of North Carolina
On February 13, 1795, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill welcomed its first students to class. Chartered in 1789, it is often cited as one of the earliest public universities in the United States to open its doors and graduate students. The initial student body was tiny, housed in a single building surrounded by frontier woodland. Over time the institution grew into a major research university, helping to shape public higher education across the American South.
Jefferson Davis Departs for Montgomery as Confederate President-Elect
On February 13, 1861, Jefferson Davis left his home in Mississippi bound for Montgomery, Alabama, after being chosen provisional president of the newly formed Confederate States of America. Crowds gathered along the rail route as he traveled to what was then the Confederate capital. His journey symbolized the deepening divide between seceding Southern states and the Union in the tense months before the Civil War’s first shots. Within weeks, the conflict would erupt at Fort Sumter, testing his leadership and the new breakaway government.
Jesse James Takes Part in First Daylight Bank Robbery in U.S. Peace Time
On February 13, 1866, armed men believed to include Jesse James and his brother Frank robbed the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri, in broad daylight. The robbers seized money and securities and fled on horseback, firing into bystanders as they escaped. The Liberty robbery is frequently described by historians as the first daylight, peacetime bank robbery in the United States. It helped launch the James brothers’ careers as Western outlaws and fed a growing press fascination with bandit folklore.
Thomas Edison Granted U.S. Patent for the Incandescent Lamp
On February 13, 1880, Thomas Edison received a key United States patent related to his practical incandescent electric lamp. Building on earlier experiments by many inventors, Edison and his team had focused on creating a durable filament and an effective vacuum inside the glass bulb. The patent strengthened his position in the rapidly emerging electric lighting industry and helped secure backing for power stations and wiring networks. Within a few years, city streets, storefronts, and homes began to glow with electric light, altering how people worked and lived after dark.
Lumière Brothers Patent the Cinématographe in France
On February 13, 1895, Auguste and Louis Lumière were granted a French patent for their Cinématographe, a combined motion-picture camera, printer, and projector. Unlike bulkier earlier devices, their machine was relatively portable and used perforated film, making it practical for capturing everyday scenes. In December of that same year, they would host one of the first commercial public film screenings in Paris. The Cinématographe helped move motion pictures from scientific curiosity toward a new form of mass entertainment and storytelling.
Songwriters Form ASCAP to Protect Musical Rights
On February 13, 1914, a group of composers, lyricists, and music publishers met in New York City to create the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Their aim was to ensure that creators received royalties when their music was performed publicly in theaters, restaurants, and other venues. Early members included figures such as Victor Herbert, who had campaigned vigorously for stronger copyright protections. ASCAP’s system of licensing and royalties reshaped the economics of popular music in the United States and became a model for similar organizations worldwide.
League of Women Voters Founded in Chicago
On February 13, 1920, the League of Women Voters was founded at the National American Woman Suffrage Association convention in Chicago. Organized by suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt, the new, nonpartisan group was designed to help newly enfranchised women become informed, active participants in government. Its work ranged from voter registration drives to educational forums on public policy issues. The League soon became a lasting voice for fair elections and civic engagement long after women’s voting rights were added to the U.S. Constitution.
New Delhi Inaugurated as Capital of British India
On February 13, 1931, New Delhi was officially inaugurated as the capital of British India, replacing Calcutta (now Kolkata). Designed by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, the city’s ceremonial avenues and imposing government buildings were laid out to project imperial authority. The inauguration featured processions, speeches, and the formal opening of the Viceroy’s House, now Rashtrapati Bhavan. After independence, New Delhi remained the capital of India, and its early 20th-century architecture still anchors the city’s political heart.
Allied Bombing Raids on Dresden Commence
On the night of February 13, 1945, British Royal Air Force bombers began a massive raid on the German city of Dresden, joined by U.S. Army Air Forces in later waves. The attacks ignited firestorms in the historic center, destroying large swaths of the city and killing tens of thousands of people, according to postwar estimates. Dresden had cultural significance and was crowded with refugees, which has fueled debate ever since about the military necessity and proportionality of the operation. The raid became one of the most controversial Allied actions of World War II and a symbol of the destructive power of strategic bombing.
Senator Joseph McCarthy Delivers “Enemies from Within” Speech
On February 13, 1950, U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy gave a speech in the U.S. Senate often referred to as “Enemies from Within,” elaborating on claims he had made days earlier about alleged communists in the State Department. In the address, he charged that the U.S. government harbored dangerous subversives, though he offered few verifiable details. The speech helped ignite a wave of investigations and accusations that came to be known as McCarthyism. The resulting atmosphere of fear and loyalty hearings reshaped American politics and culture during the early Cold War.
France Conducts Its First Atomic Bomb Test
On February 13, 1960, France detonated its first atomic bomb, code-named “Gerboise Bleue,” in the Sahara Desert of what was then French Algeria. The successful test made France the fourth country to demonstrate nuclear weapons capability, after the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom. President Charles de Gaulle saw an independent nuclear force as essential for French security and global standing. The test also drew criticism over radioactive fallout and the use of colonial territory, debates that still color discussions of nuclear policy and decolonization.
Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” Enters the U.S. Public Domain
On February 13, 1961, Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula entered the public domain in the United States under the copyright laws then in force. With the work no longer under copyright protection, publishers, filmmakers, and playwrights could adapt the story without licensing fees. This legal shift helped spur a wave of new vampire interpretations in mid-20th-century popular culture, from comic books to low-budget horror films. The open use of Stoker’s characters and imagery cemented Dracula as a fixture in modern gothic storytelling.
Alabama Governor Lurleen Wallace Dies in Office
On February 13, 1968, Lurleen Wallace, the governor of Alabama and wife of segregationist politician George Wallace, died of cancer while still in office. Elected in 1966, she had run largely as a surrogate candidate because the state constitution barred her husband from consecutive terms. During her brief tenure she approved measures championed by her husband, but also supported mental health reforms and funding for state institutions. Her death underscored both the personal costs of political life and the complex role she played in an era of intense conflict over civil rights.
Pitcher Bob Feller Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
On February 13, 1972, legendary Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller was formally inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Nicknamed “Rapid Robert” for his blistering fastball, Feller debuted in the majors as a teenager and racked up striking performances before and after serving in World War II. His career totals, including multiple no-hitters and All-Star selections, made him an obvious Hall of Fame choice in his first year of eligibility. Feller’s induction highlighted both his on-field achievements and his wartime service, a combination that made him an enduring figure in American sports history.
Iraqi Forces Begin Deliberate Kuwaiti Oil Well Fires
On February 13, 1991, during the Gulf War, retreating Iraqi forces started systematically igniting Kuwaiti oil wells and facilities. Thick smoke plumes soon darkened the sky over the region, creating environmental and economic damage that lasted long after active combat ended. International firefighting teams later spent months capping wells and extinguishing blazes using specialized equipment and techniques. The fires became a stark illustration of the environmental costs of modern warfare and the vulnerability of energy infrastructure in conflict.
Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” Stolen from Oslo Museum
On February 13, 1994, a version of Edvard Munch’s iconic painting The Scream was stolen from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway. Thieves broke in during the early morning hours and left a taunting note that read “Thanks for the poor security.” The theft occurred as Norway was hosting the Lillehammer Winter Olympics, drawing global media attention to the missing artwork. Norwegian police recovered the painting later that year, and the incident spurred tighter security measures for major art collections.
Civil Judgment Entered Against O.J. Simpson
On February 13, 1997, a California court formally entered a civil judgment holding O.J. Simpson liable for the wrongful deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. A jury had returned the verdict earlier in the month, ordering Simpson to pay substantial compensatory and punitive damages to the victims’ families. The decision followed his highly publicized 1995 acquittal on criminal charges in the same killings, highlighting the different standards of proof in civil and criminal law. The case remained a touchstone in debates about celebrity, race, media coverage, and the U.S. justice system.
Last Original “Peanuts” Comic Strip Runs in Newspapers
On February 13, 2000, newspapers published the final original Peanuts comic strip drawn by Charles M. Schulz. The farewell strip appeared one day after Schulz’s death and included a heartfelt message thanking readers for their support over nearly five decades. In simple panels featuring familiar characters like Charlie Brown and Snoopy, Schulz explained that he could no longer continue the strip. Reruns would later keep Peanuts on comic pages, but February 13 marked the end of new stories from its creator.
Early Facebook Opens Beyond Harvard
On February 13, 2004, the nascent social networking site known then as “Thefacebook” expanded access beyond Harvard University to students at Columbia, Stanford, and Yale. Created days earlier by Mark Zuckerberg and collaborators, the site initially focused on digitizing the college face-book concept. The February expansion was a small but significant step in turning a campus project into a broader network connecting multiple institutions. Within months, the service would reach dozens of universities, setting the stage for its later global reach and influence on online communication.
Northern Illinois University Campus Shooting
On February 13, 2008, a former graduate student opened fire in a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. The attack left five students dead and many others injured before the gunman took his own life. Emergency responders and university staff quickly evacuated surrounding buildings and secured the campus. The tragedy intensified national discussions about campus safety, mental health resources, and gun violence in educational settings.
Kim Jong-nam Killed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
On February 13, 2017, Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, died after being attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Security cameras captured two women smearing a substance later identified as the nerve agent VX onto his face. The incident quickly drew international attention and suspicion of North Korean involvement, which officials in Pyongyang denied. Trials and diplomatic disputes followed, and the killing deepened concerns about the use of chemical agents and political violence beyond North Korea’s borders.
U.S. Senate Acquits Donald Trump in Second Impeachment Trial
On February 13, 2021, the United States Senate voted to acquit former President Donald Trump on a charge of incitement of insurrection related to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. A majority of senators, including several Republicans, voted to convict, but the tally fell short of the two-thirds threshold required under the Constitution. The proceedings marked the first time in American history that a president had been impeached and tried twice. The outcome left enduring debates about accountability, free speech, and the boundaries of presidential conduct during transitions of power.