Important Events From This day in History – 13 May

Today in History

• 1989 Thousands of students begin a hunger strike on Tiananmen Square in Beijing

  The square’s nonviolent occupation was part of anti-corruption and pro-democracy protests. On June 3-4, 1989, the army opened fire on protesters, killing approximately 3000 unarmed civilians.

• 1981 Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt

  Mehmet Ali Aca, a Turkish right-wing extremist, fired two shots at Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square. The Pope was seriously injured but survived a 5-hour operation and went on to visit his assailant in jail.

• 1950 The first Formula One World Championship season kicks off

  Giuseppe Farina won the first FIA World Championship of Drivers for the Alfa Romeo team.

• 1940 Igor Sikorsky pilots his VS-300 helicopter’s maiden flight

  The helicopter was the first successful model to use the single vertical tail rotor that most helicopters feature today.

• 1909 The Giro d’Italia cycle race is held for the first time

  The Giro is regarded as one of the most important cycle races in the world. The first edition, which ran from Milan to Naples and back, was won by Luigi Ganna.