Discover what happened on July 13 in history, along with notable events, inventions, milestones, and moments that shaped America and the world.
What Happened on July 13 in History?
Important events on this day include the dedication of the Hollywood Sign, the discovery of the source of the Mississippi River, the revelation of the Nixon White House tapes during Watergate, the worldwide Live Aid concerts, and the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game played outside the United States.
JULY 13 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1832 – Henry Schoolcraft discovered the source of the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
1836 – John Ruggles received patent #1 from the U.S. Patent Office. It was for a traction wheel used in locomotive steam engines. There were 9,957 previous patents, but they were not numbered.
1919 – The British airship R34 landed in Norfolk, England, completing the first airship return journey across the Atlantic in 182 hours of flight.
1923 – The Hollywood Sign was officially dedicated in the hills above Hollywood, California. The sign originally read “Hollywoodland” but the last four letters were dropped when it was renovated in 1949.
1938 – Five people died when a 10 foot Michigan Tsunami wave in Lake Michigan hit Holland State Park.
1972 – Carroll Rosenbloom (owner of the Baltimore Colts) and Robert Irsay (owner of the Los Angeles Rams) traded teams.
1973 – Alexander Butterfield revealed the existence of the “Nixon tapes” to the special Senate Committee investigating the Watergate break in.
1977 – New York, NY experienced a 24-hour blackout, that was caused by lightning strikes, that lead to widespread fires and looting.
1978 – Lee Iacocca was fired as president of Ford Motor Co. by chairman Henry Ford II.
1982 – The All-Star Game was played outside the United States for the first time. They played in Montreal, Canada.
1984 – Kermit and Miss Piggy took over the Big Apple…the movie “The Muppets Take Manhattan” premiered in theaters. This was the first appearance for the Muppet Babies.
1984 – In Arkansas, Terry Wallis was injured in a car accident and was left comatose. He came out of the coma in June, 2003.
1985 – Vice President George Bush became the Acting President for the day when President Ronald Reagan underwent surgery to remove polyps from his colon.
1985 – Live-Aid concerts took place in Philadelphia, PA, and London, England, as well as other venues such as Sydney, Australia and Moscow, Russia.
1990 – The movie “Ghost”, starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, opened in theaters.
1998 – “Image of an Assassination” went on sale. The video documentary is about Abraham Zapruder’s home video of President Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas in November of 1963.
1994 – Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, was sentenced (in Portland, OR) to a two-year prison term for his role in the attack on skater Nancy Kerrigan.
2001 – The movie “Legally Blonde”, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released in theaters.
2008 Anheuser-Busch was purchased by the No. 2 brewer at that time, In Bev, for $52 billion . The new company is called Anheuser-Busch-InBev.
2013 – George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the shooting of Trayvon Martin.
2020 – After a five-day search , the body of American actress and singer Naya Rivera was recovered from Lake Piru in California , where she had drowned.
2024 – Former President Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt while speaking at an election campaign rally near Butler, PA.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JULY 13:
Johnny Gilbert – 98 years old (1928) – Game show host and announcer
Harrison Ford – 84 years old (1942) – Actor and producer
Roger McGuinn – 84 years old (1942) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Cheech Marin – 80 years old (1946) – Actor and comedian
Tony Kornheiser – 78 years old (1948) – Television sports talk show host and former sportswriter
George Nelson – 76 years old (1950) – Astronomer and astronaut
Rob Bishop – 75 years old (1951) – Educator and politician
Didi Conn – 75 years old (1951) – Actress and singer
Gil Birmingham – 73 years old (1953) – Actor
David Thompson – 73 years old (1953) – Basketball player
Louise Mandrell – 72 years old (1954) – Singer-songwriter and actress
Mark Mendoza – 70 years old (1956) – Bass player and songwriter
Michael Spinks – 70 years old (1956) – Boxer
Cameron Crowe – 69 years old (1957) – Director, producer, and screenwriter
Robert Abraham – 66 years old (1960) – Football player
Tom Kenny – 64 years old (1962) – Voice actor and screenwriter
Rhonda Vincent – 64 years old (1962) – Singer-songwriter and mandolin player
Parker Bohn III – 63 years old (1963) – Bowler
Kenny Johnson – 63 years old (1963) – Actor, producer, and model
Charlie Hides – 62 years old (1964) – Drag queen and comedian
Paul Thorn – 62 years old (1964) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Eileen Ivers – 61 years old (1965) – Fiddler
Ken Jeong – 57 years old (1969) – Actor, comedian, and physician
Sean Waltman – 54 years old (1972) – Professional wrestler
Chris Horn – 49 years old (1977) – Football player
Ryan Ludwick – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player
Trell Kimmons – 41 years old (1985) – Sprinter
Colton Haynes – 38 years old (1988) – Actor, model and singer
DJ LeMahieu – 38 years old (1988) – Baseball player
Leon Bridges – 37 years old (1989) – Soul singer, songwriter and record producer
Rich the Kid – 34 years old (1992) – Rapper
Cody Bellinger – 31 years old (1995) – Baseball player
Josh Hines-Allen – 29 years old (1997) – Football player
Leo Howard – 29 years old (1997) – Actor and martial artist
Wyatt Oleff – 23 years old (2003) – Actor
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JULY 13:
- International Rock Day: Where would we be without rocks? Go on a rock hunt and see how many different kinds you can find, including some surprisingly beautiful and rare ones.
- Beef Tallow Day: Substitute beef tallow for other cooking or vegetable oils in your dishes and see how much richer the flavor gets, while giving you important nutrients.
- National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day: Harmonizing melodies in close-knit camaraderie, evoking nostalgia with rhythmic vocal bliss, weaving musical tapestries that resonate joy.
- Embrace Your Geekness Day: Geeks are in! Dig out that Star Trek t-shirt, drink out of your Buffy mug, even consider sharing some of that fanfiction you definitely “didn’t” write.
- International Town Criers Day: Long before modern technology, when most people couldn’t read, town criers kept people up to date on current events and news. See what its like yourself!
- National Beans ‘n’ Franks Day : National Beans 'n' Franks Day honors a classic American comfort food: baked beans mixed with sliced hot dogs. This simple yet satisfying dish has warmed many hearts and homes across the country. Tender beans blend with savory franks to create a hearty and nostalgic meal. The smoky-sweet combination makes it...
- National Delaware Day: National Delaware Day shines a light on the small but mighty state that helped shape the country. Delaware was the first to approve the U.S. Constitution, earning its proud title, “The First State.” That early decision set everything in motion for a new government. Though tiny in size, its impact...
- Fool’s Paradise Day: Fool’s Paradise Day kicks off with a sweet escape from everyday pressure. It invites you to step into a cozy mental world where joy rules. You set the scene with bright thoughts and gentle hope. A soft mood fills your mind. You let go of worries, even if just for a...
- Gruntled Workers Day: Gruntled Workers Day celebrates those who feel truly content in their jobs. It’s a fun, upbeat nod to people who enjoy their work and choose to find purpose each day. It’s about noticing what goes well, applauding small wins, and appreciating coworkers or service workers. By recognizing these positive moments...
- Fiesta de la Tirana: Fiesta de la Tirana is a vibrant celebration held in northern Chile. It transforms the small town of La Tirana into a bustling center of energy, color, and sound. Thousands of people come together, filling the streets with traditional costumes, lively dances, and rhythmic music. It's a festival where faith...
- Running of the Bulls: The Running of the Bulls draws people from around the world. This thrilling spectacle involves a group of bulls charging through narrow streets, guided by daring runners. The excitement is electric, and thousands watch and participate. It's a day filled with anticipation, adrenaline, and community spirit. Whether you're a participant...
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