Calendar icon showing May 13 for Today in History post

May 13 in History: Michigan State Opens, Velcro Is Trademarked, and “Frasier” Ends

Scott Winters May 13, 2026

Discover what happened on May 13 in history, along with notable events that shaped communication, transportation, and entertainment.

What Happened on May 13 in History?

Important events on this day include the opening of Michigan State University, the registration of the Velcro trademark, and the final episode of Frasier airing on NBC.

MAY 13 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1607 – An expedition led by Captain Christopher Newport arrived at Jamestown, VA. The passengers went ashore the next day, and this site became the first permanent English colony in America.

1821 – The first practical printing press was patented in the U.S. by Samuel Rust.

1857 – Michigan Agricultural College opened in Lansing, MI, with 75 students. It is now known as Michigan State University.

1873 – Ludwig M. Wolf patented the sewing machine lamp holder.

1880 – Thomas Edison tested his experimental electric railway in Menlo Park, NJ.

1897 – Guglielmo Marconi sent the world’s first wireless communication over open sea.

1911 – The New York Giants set a major league baseball record. Ten runners crossed home plate before the first out of the game against St. Louis.

1918 – The first airmail postage stamps were issued with airplanes on them. The denominations were 6, 16, and 24 cents.

1939 – The first commercial FM radio station in the U.S. was launched in Bloomfield, CT. The station later became WDRC-FM.

1949 – The first gas turbine to pump natural gas was installed in Wilmar, AR.

1950 – Diner’s Club issued the first credit cards.

1954 – President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Act.

1958 – The trademark “Velcro” was registered.

1958 – Ben Carlin became the first (and only) person to circumnavigate the world by amphibious vehicle. He traveled over 11,000 miles by sea and 39,000 miles by land during a ten-year journey.

1967 – Mickey Mantle hit his 500th homerun.

1970 – “Let It Be”, a British documentary film starring the Beatles, premiered.

1979 – Max Robinson joined ABC’s “World News Tonight” and became the first black anchorman on a national network.

1980 – A deadly F3 tornado ripped through the downtown Kalamazoo business district. President Jimmy Carter declared it a Federal disaster area.

1981 – Pope John Paul II was shot in St. Peter’s Square.

1982 – The Chicago Cubs became the first major league baseball team to win 8,000 games.

1985 – Tony Perez became the oldest major league baseball player to hit a grand slam home run at the age of 42 and 11 months.

1994 – Johnny Carson made his last television appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman”.

2002 – Dionne Warwick was arrested at Miami International Airport after baggage screeners found 11 marijuana cigarettes inside her lipstick container. She was later cleared of the charges.

2003 – The U.S. government unveiled a newly designed version of the $20 bill. It was the first to be colorized in an effort to stop counterfeiters.

2004 – NBC aired the final episode of TV’s “Frasier”. It was on the air for 11 seasons.

2008 – A 42 cent postage stamp honoring Frank Sinatra went on sale on the 10th anniversary of his death.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MAY 13:

Zohra Lampert – 89 years old (1937) – Actress

Harvey Keitel – 87 years old (1939) – Actor

Jody Conradt – 85 years old (1941) – Basketball player and coach

Armistead Maupin – 82 years old (1944) – Author, screenwriter, and actor

Lou Marini – 81 years old (1945) – Saxophonist and composer

Marv Wolfman – 80 years old (1946) – Author

Zoë Wanamaker – 77 years old (1949) – American-British actress

Bobby Valentine – 76 years old (1950) – Baseball player and manager

Stevie Wonder – 76 years old (1950) – Singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer

John Kasich – 74 years old (1952) – Politician, 69th Governor of Ohio

Londa Schiebinger – 74 years old (1952) – Academic and author

Siobhan Fallon Hogan – 65 years old (1961) – Actress

Dennis Rodman – 65 years old (1961) – Basketball player, wrestler, and actor

Stephen Colbert – 62 years old (1964) – Comedian and talk show host

Darius Rucker – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Buckethead – 57 years old (1969) – Guitarist and songwriter

Trajan Langdon – 50 years old (1976) – Basketball player and executive

Tom Cotton – 49 years old (1977) – Politician

Pusha T – 49 years old (1977) – Rapper

Mike Bibby – 48 years old (1978) – Basketball player and coach

Barry Zito – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player

Oguchi Onyewu – 44 years old (1982) – Footballer

Dawn Harper – 42 years old (1984) – Hurdler

Lena Dunham – 40 years old (1986) – Actress, director, and screenwriter

Candice King – 39 years old (1987) – Singer-songwriter and actress

Mychal Givens – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player

Tyrann Mathieu – 34 years old (1992) – Football player

Abby Dahlkemper – 33 years old (1993) – Footballer

Debby Ryan – 33 years old (1993) – Actress and singer

Morgan Wallen – 33 years old (1993) – Singer-songwriter

Nico Hoerner – 29 years old (1997) – Baseball player

Jaxson Dart – 23 years old (2003) – Football player

Jabari Smith Jr. – 23 years old (2003) – Basketball player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MAY 13:

World Cocktail Day: Celebrate World Cocktail Day by exploring mixology history, classic and creative recipes, home bar ideas, and fun ways to shake up social gatherings.
Leprechaun Day: Celebrate Leprechaun Day by exploring Irish folklore, playful treasure hunts, green treats, and crafty fun that honor these mischievous guardians of hidden gold.
National Fruit Cocktail Day: Celebrate National Fruit Cocktail Day by enjoying colorful fruit blends, creative desserts, mocktails, and picnics that highlight this sweet, versatile treat.
Cough Drop Day: Discover the history, health benefits, and fun ways to celebrate Cough Drop Day, honoring the soothing lozenges that comfort sore throats and coughs.
National Frog Jumping Day: Celebrate National Frog Jumping Day with frog contests, Mark Twain’s classic tale, nature walks, and kid-friendly activities that honor frogs and their ecosystems.
Children of Fallen Patriots Day: Children of Fallen Patriots Day honors children of fallen U.S. service members, raising awareness, sharing their stories, and supporting their education and futures.
National Root Canal Appreciation Day: Discover why root canals matter, learn how they protect teeth and health, and show appreciation for dentists on National Root Canal Appreciation Day.
World Facilities Management Day: World Facilities Management Day honors the professionals who keep buildings safe, efficient, and welcoming, highlighting their vital behind-the-scenes expertise.
Donate A Day’s Wages To Charity Day: Discover Donate A Day’s Wages To Charity Day, a global movement inspiring people to give one day’s pay, support trusted nonprofits, and help create lasting change.
National Crouton Day: Celebrate National Crouton Day by honoring this crunchy salad and soup topper, exploring its French roots, reducing food waste, and trying creative recipes.
National Third Shift Workers Day: Honor the night shift heroes who keep life moving while others sleep. Discover ways to support, thank, and celebrate third shift workers’ vital roles.
Top Gun Day: Celebrate Top Gun Day by honoring the iconic movie with watch parties, trivia, quotes, soundtrack singalongs, and appreciation for real-life fighter pilots.
International Hummus Day: Discover the history, flavors, health benefits, and global celebrations of International Hummus Day, honoring this versatile Middle Eastern chickpea dish.
Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day: Discover how Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day highlights male and female health differences, drives better research, and promotes more accurate, equitable care.
National Apple Pie Day: Celebrate National Apple Pie Day by baking, sharing, or savoring this iconic dessert, honoring its rich history, cozy traditions, and patriotic American roots.
National Receptionists Day: Celebrate National Receptionists Day by honoring the front-desk professionals who greet guests, manage calls, organize schedules, and keep workplaces running smoothly.
IEEE Global Engineering Day: Ever wonder who makes all the amazing things we use every day? IEEE Global Engineering Day puts those brilliant problem-solvers in the spotlight. It’s a worldwide celebration of the people who turn big ideas into real inventions. Engineers build things that keep our world moving—from power systems to smartphones. Their...
Noise Action Week: Noise Action Week is an exciting event dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of noise pollution on our daily lives. This week-long initiative encourages everyone to think about the noise they create and how it affects others. It's a time for communities to come together, learn about noise reduction...
American Craft Beer Week: Exploring diverse flavors and styles, American craft beer showcases innovation and craftsmanship, delighting enthusiasts worldwide.
Foster Care Fortnight: Foster Care Fortnight, an annual event in the UK, typically happens in the first two weeks of May. This initiative is driven by The Fostering Network, a leading charity that promotes foster care awareness and recruitment. The event raises awareness about the growing need for foster carers and their vital...
Bike to Work Week: Bike to Work Week is a special time celebrated each year across the United States. This event encourages people to ride their bikes to work or anywhere else they need to go as part of a larger movement to promote cycling and its benefits. How to Celebrate Bike to Work Week Embracing...
Learning at Work Week: Learning at Work Week is a special time dedicated to boosting learning culture within the workplace. Celebrated annually, this initiative encourages all types of organizations to engage in activities that foster learning among their teams. The goal is to make learning an integral part of working life, benefiting individual growth and...
Christian Aid Week: Christian Aid Week is an important time that provides urgent humanitarian relief to the less fortunate and urges long-term programs to help. It calls out the plight of the suffering, giving immediate aid. But it does more; it stands up for the rights of - and demands justice for -...
Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...
National Salvation Army Week: Supporting those in need, providing hope, and creating positive change—efforts that embody the essence of humanitarian assistance.
M.E. Awareness Week: M.E. Awareness Week, celebrated annually, highlights the struggles of people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). The week encourages empathy for those affected and serves as a time for people to learn more about this condition. The campaign is organized by various charities, patient groups, and healthcare professionals working together to increase...
National Public Gardens Week: National Public Gardens Week shines a spotlight on the incredible beauty and significance of public gardens. Held each year in early May, it's a week-long celebration designed to highlight the vital role these gardens play in our communities. From fragrant flower displays to serene landscapes, they offer more than just...
National Hospital Week: Whether performing a small elective procedure or treating a life-threatening illness, hospitals are critical places that make a huge difference in the health of individuals, families and communities across the nation. National Hospital Week is here to celebrate and show appreciation for all of the different people who are integral...
National Hoarding Awareness Week: Hoarding can feel suffocating. It clutters not just rooms but also minds. National Hoarding Awareness Week brings this often-overlooked struggle to the forefront. Many people live with piles of objects that grow until they block doors and windows. This isn’t about mess or laziness—it’s a serious condition. This week, communities...
National Stuttering Awareness Week: National Stuttering Awareness Week focuses on understanding stuttering and supporting those who live with it. Stuttering is a speech condition that affects the flow of speaking, and it touches millions of people worldwide. This week encourages open conversations and helps break the silence around a challenge many face every day. It...
I Love My State Parks Week: The United States defines up to 10,000 different areas as state parks. State parks protect more than 14 million acres of landscape, ranging from coastal beaches to forests, sandy deserts to swampland. In addition, state parks provide local residents with opportunities for recreation, access to clean and safe green spaces...