On This Day · The 13th day of the year

January 13

A look at January 13 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Emperor Guangwu of Han and Winnie Byanyima, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

ZodiacCapricorn BirthstoneGarnet Birth flowerCarnation
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2003

    208996 Achlys

    208996 Achlys was discovered by Chad Trujillo and Michael E. Brown at Palomar Observatory.

    Large plutino
  2. 2001

    January 2001 El Salvador earthquake

    An earthquake hits El Salvador, killing more than 800.

    History
  3. 1968

    Johnny Cash

    Johnny Cash performs live at Folsom State Prison.

    American country singer (1932–2003)
  4. 1942

    World War II

    World War II: First use of an aircraft ejection seat by a German test pilot in a Heinkel He 280 jet fighter.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  5. 1942

    Henry Ford

    Henry Ford patents a soybean car, which is 30% lighter than a regular car.

    American business magnate (1863–1947)
  6. 1915

    1915 Avezzano earthquake

    The 6.7 Mw Avezzano earthquake shakes the Province of L'Aquila in Italy with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), killing between 29,978 and 32,610.

    Earthquake in Italy
  7. 1898

    Émile Zola

    Émile Zola's J'accuse…! exposes the Dreyfus affair.

    French writer (1840–1902)
  8. 1847

    Treaty of Cahuenga

    The Treaty of Cahuenga ends the Mexican–American War in California.

    1847 agreement that ended
  9. 1797

    French Revolutionary Wars

    French Revolutionary Wars: A naval battle between a French ship of the line and two British frigates off the coast of Brittany ends with the French vessel running aground, resulting in over 900 deaths.

    1792–1802 wars
  10. -27

    Augustus

    Octavian transfers the state to the free disposal of the Roman Senate and the people. He receives Spain, Gaul, and Syria as his province for ten years.

    Roman emperor from 27
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Famous birthday twins

Born on January 13

Emperor Guangwu of Han

b. -5

Chinese emperor

Winnie Byanyima

b. 1959

Ugandan engineer, politician, and diplomat

AD 101

b. 101

Roman adopted son of Hadrian

Félix Tisserand

b. 1845

French astronomer and academic

Liam Hemsworth

b. 1990

Australian actor

Orlando Bloom

b. 1977

English actor

Silvana Gallardo

b. 1953

American actress and producer

Leo Visser

b. 1966

Dutch speed skater and pilot

Deaths

  • 2019Phil Masinga, South African footballer
  • 1963Sylvanus Olympio, Togolese businessman and politician, President of Togo
  • 1941James Joyce, Irish novelist, short story writer, and poet
  • 1929Wyatt Earp, American police officer
  • 1363Meinhard, Duke of Upper Bavaria, German nobleman
  • 888AD 888, Frankish king and emperor

Holidays & observances

  • Christian feast day: Blessed Veronica of Milan
  • Christian feast day: Elian
  • Christian feast day: Hilary of Poitiers
  • Christian feast day: Mungo
  • Christian feast day: St. Knut's Day or Tjugondag Knut, the last day of Christmas. (Sweden and Finland)
  • Christian feast day: January 13 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • Constitution Day (Mongolia)
  • Democracy Day (Cape Verde)

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