Today in History
2013 Pope Francis succeeds Pope Benedict XVI
Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected as the 266th leader of the Catholic Church, which has 1.2 billion members worldwide.
1997 A series of unidentified lights appeared over Phoenix, Arizona
The Phoenix Lights sparked heated debate among UFO enthusiasts. Later, it was discovered that some of the lights were caused by illumination flares dropped by a US Air Force plane.
1943 German troops liquidate the Jewish ghetto in Kraków
Thousands of men, women, and children were murdered or deported to extermination camps by the Nazis. The heinous event is depicted in the film Schindler’s List.
1845 Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is premiered
The German composer’s opus 64 is one of the most frequently performed violin concertos in history.
1781 Uranus is discovered
William Herschel, a German-born British astronomer, is credited with discovering the planet. It is the solar system’s third-largest planet in terms of radius.
Births On This Day, March 13
1985 Matt Jackson
American wrestler
1939 Neil Sedaka
American singer-songwriter, pianist
1911 L. Ron Hubbard
American religious leader, and author, founded the Church of Scientology
1907 Mircea Eliade
Romanian historian, author
1733 Joseph Priestley
English chemist, minister, philosopher
Deaths On This Day, March 13
1906 Susan B. Anthony
American activist
1901 Benjamin Harrison
American politician, 23rd President of the United States
1881 Alexander II of Russia
1879 Adolf Anderssen
German chess player
1842 Henry Shrapnel
English army officer
