July 13

Wednesday 13, 2005:

Three trains collide in the Ghotki rail crash in Ghotki, Pakistan, killing over 150 people.

Saturday 13, 2002:

A lighting strike sets off the Sour Biscuit Fire in Oregon and northern California, which had burned 499,570 acres (2,020 km²) when finally contained on September 5.

Saturday 13, 1996:

A Garuda Indonesia Airways DC-10 crashes on take-off from Fukuoka Airport, Japan, killing 3 passengers.

Saturday 13, 1985:

The Live Aid benefit concert takes place in London and Philadelphia, as well as other venues such as Sydney and Moscow.

Tuesday 13, 1982:

Montreal hosts the first baseball All-Star Game outside the United States.

Thursday 13, 1978:

Ford Motor Company President Lee Iacocca is fired by chairman Henry Ford II, ending a long dispute between the men.

Wednesday 13, 1977:

The New York City Blackout of 1977 lasts for 25 hours and results in looting and other disorder.

Friday 13, 1973:

Alexander Butterfield reveals the existence of the Nixon tapes to the special Senate committee investigating the Watergate break in.

Thursday 13, 1972:

The United States Democratic Party nominates George McGovern for president at its convention in Miami Beach, Florida but, because of an impassioned platform dispute, McGovern does not give his acceptance speech until the early morning hours of the 14th.

Tuesday 13, 1948:

The Coptic and Ethiopian Churches reach an agreement leading to the promotion of the Ethiopian church to the rank of an autocephalous Patriarchate. Five bishops are immediately consecrated by the Patriarch of Alexandria, who are empowered to elect a new Patriarch for their church, and the successor to Abuna Qerellos IV is granted the power to consecrate new bishops.

Monday 13, 1942:

World War II: German U-Boats sink three more merchant ships in Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Sunday 13, 1941:

World War II: Montenegrins start the first popular uprising in Europe against the Axis Powers (Crnogorski ustanak).

Monday 13, 1936:

A heat wave strikes the Midwestern United States. The all-time highest temperatures for the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana are all recorded on this date.

Sunday 13, 1930:

The first FIFA World Cup begins in Uruguay.

Friday 13, 1923:

The Hollywood Sign is officially dedicated in the hills above Hollywood, Los Angeles. It originally reads "Hollywoodland " but the four last letters are dropped after renovation in 1949.

Sunday 13, 1919:

The British airship R-34 lands in Norfolk, England, completing the first airship return journey across the Atlantic in 182 hours of flight.

Tuesday 13, 1909:

Gold discovered near Cochrane, Ontario.

Monday 13, 1908:

Women compete in modern Olympics for the first time.

Friday 13, 1900:

Boxer Rebellion: In China, Tientsin is retaken by European Allies from the rebelling Boxers.

Saturday 13, 1878:

Treaty of Berlin: The European powers redraw the map of the Balkans. Serbia and Montenegro become completely independent of the Ottoman empire.

Monday 13, 1863:

New York Draft Riots: In New York City, opponents of conscription begin three days of rioting which will be later regarded as the worst in United States history.

Thursday 13, 1854:

In the battle of Guaymas, Mexico, General Jose Maria Yanez stops the French invasion led by Count Gaston de Raousset Boulbon.

Thursday 13, 1837:

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom moves into the first Buckingham Palace in London and is the first British monarch to live there.

Saturday 13, 1822:

Greek War of Independence: Greeks defeat Ottoman forces at Thermopylae.

Sunday 13, 1794:

Battle of the Vosges between French forces and those of Prussia and Austria

Saturday 13, 1793:

Jean Paul Marat, one of the leaders of the French revolution, is murdered by Charlotte Corday.

Friday 13, 1787:

The Continental Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance establishing governing rules for the Northwest Territory. It also establishes procedures for the admission of new states and limits the expansion of slavery.

Monday 13, 1772:

HMS Resolution, under the command of Captain James Cook, set sail from Plymouth, England.

Monday 13, 1643:

In England, Lord Henry Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, commanding the Royalist forces, wins a crushing victory over the Parliamentarian Sir William Waller.

Friday 13, 1573:

Eighty Years' War: The Siege of Haarlem ends after seven months.

Sunday 13, 1558:

Battle of Gravelines: In France, Spanish forces led by Count Lamoral of Egmont defeat the French forces of Marshal Paul des Thermes at Gravelines.

Saturday 13, 1174:

William the Lion of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, was captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Henry II of England.

More on July, 13

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