August 13

Wednesday 13, 1997:

South Park debuts on Comedy Central.

Thursday 13, 1987:

U.S. President Reagan assumes responsibility for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal.

Sunday 13, 1961:

The German Democratic Republic closes the border between the eastern and western sectors of Berlin, to thwart its inhabitants' attempts to escape to the West.

Saturday 13, 1960:

The Central African Republic declares independence from France.

Thursday 13, 1942:

Walt Disney's fifth animated feature, Bambi, premiers.

Tuesday 13, 1940:

The Luftwaffe launches a series of attacks on British fighter bases and radar installations.

Friday 13, 1937:

The Japanese attack Shanghai, China.

Monday 13, 1923:

First major sea-going ship arrives at Gdynia, newly constructed Polish seaport.

Friday 13, 1920:

Polish-Soviet War: Battle of Warsaw begins, lasts till August 25. The Red Army is defeated.

Tuesday 13, 1918:

Women enlist in the United States Marine Corps for the first time. Opha Mae Johnson is the first woman to enlist.

Wednesday 13, 1913:

Invention of stainless steel by Harry Brearley.

Sunday 13, 1905:

Norway holds referendum in favour of dissolving the union with Sweden.

Saturday 13, 1814:

The Convention of London, a treaty between the United Kingdom and the United Provinces, is signed in London.

Wednesday 13, 1704:

English and Austrians victorious over French and Bavarians.

Thursday 13, 1553:

Michael Servetus arrested by John Calvin in Geneva as a heretic.

Thursday 13, 1536:

Buddhist monks from Kyoto's Enryaku Temple set fire to 21 Nichiren temples throughout Kyoto in the Tenbun Hokke Disturbance. (Traditional Japanese date: July 27, 1536).

Saturday 13, 1521:

Tenochtitlán (present day Mexico City) falls to conquistador Hernán Cortés

Sunday 13, 1516:

Treaty of Noyon between France and Spain signed. In it, Francis recognizes Charles's claim to Naples, and Charles recognizes Francis's claim to Milan.

Sunday 13, 1415:

Henry V of England lands at Chef-en-Caux, France with 8000 men.

Tuesday 13, 1326:

Aradia de Toscano, according to legend/folklore, is initiated into a Dianic witchcraft cult, subsequently founds the tradition of Stregheria later known as the Malandanti.

Tuesday 13, 1315:

Louis X of France marries Clemence d'Anjou.

Sunday 13, 1099:

Paschal II elected Pope.

Friday 13, 523:

John succeeds Hormisdas as Pope.

Friday 13, 2004:

156 Congolese Tutsi refugees massacred at the Gatumba refugee camp, in Burundi.

More on August, 13

• People Born on August, 13
• They left us on August, 13