Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
October 13 Tuesday, October 13, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 13 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
5
Holidays
1881
Culture 145 years ago
First known conversation in modern Hebrew by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and friends.
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and his friends hold the first recorded conversation in modern Hebrew, marking a pivotal moment in the language's revival.
History
What happened on October 13
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 54Roman history
Roman emperor Claudius dies from poisoning under mysterious circumstances. He is succeeded by his adopted son Nero, rather than by Britannicus, his son with Messalina.
Claudius dies from poisoning; Nero, not Britannicus, becomes emperor.
- 409European history
Vandals and Alans cross the Pyrenees and appear in Hispania.
Vandals and Alans cross the Pyrenees into Hispania, marking a significant migration that disrupts Roman rule.
- 1269Religion
The present church building at Westminster Abbey is consecrated.
The present church building at Westminster Abbey is consecrated following its reconstruction.
- 1307European history
Hundreds of the Knights Templar in France are arrested at dawn by King Philip the Fair, and later confess under torture to heresy.
King Philip the Fair arrests hundreds of Knights Templar at dawn; they later confess to heresy under torture.
- 1332World history
Rinchinbal Khan becomes the Khagan of the Mongols and Emperor of the Yuan dynasty, reigning for only 53 days.
Rinchinbal Khan becomes the Khagan of the Mongols and Emperor of the Yuan dynasty, ruling for just 53 days.
- 1644European history
A Swedish-Dutch fleet defeats the Danish fleet at Fehmarn and captures about 1,000 prisoners.
A Swedish, Dutch fleet defeats the Danish fleet near Fehmarn, capturing around 1,000 prisoners.
- 1710US history
Port Royal, the capital of French Acadia, falls in a siege by British forces.
British forces capture Port Royal in a siege, ending French control over the capital of Acadia.
- 1775US history
The Continental Congress establishes the Continental Navy (predecessor of the United States Navy).
The Continental Congress creates the Continental Navy to protect American merchant ships and combat British naval forces.
- 1812War
War of 1812: Sir Isaac Brock's British and native forces repel an invasion of Canada by General Rensselaer's United States forces.
British General Isaac Brock and indigenous allies defeat American forces under Stephen Van Rensselaer at the Battle of Queenston Heights, repelling the invasion of Upper Canada.
- 1881Culture
First known conversation in modern Hebrew by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and friends.
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and his friends hold the first recorded conversation in modern Hebrew, marking a pivotal moment in the language's revival.
- 1962Disaster
The Pacific Northwest experiences a cyclone the equal of a Category 3 hurricane, with winds above 150 mph. Forty-six people die.
A powerful cyclone hits the Pacific Northwest with winds exceeding 150 mph, resulting in 46 deaths.
- 2016Politics
The Maldives announces its decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Maldives decides to leave the Commonwealth of Nations.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 13
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 39
Tochinoshin Tsuyoshi
Georgian sumo wrestler
Tochinoshin Tsuyoshi, a Georgian sumo wrestler who reached the top makuuchi division in 2008, turns 39 today.
Born
1987
Turns 39
today
Ashok Kumar
Indian film actor
1911 – 2001
Laraine Day
American actress
1920 – 2007
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Pakistani musician
1948 – 1997
Marie Osmond
American singer, actress, and television spokesperson
b. 1959 · 67
Jerry Rice
American football player
b. 1962 · 64
Matt Walsh
American actor and comedian
b. 1964 · 62
Music
The number one songs on October 13
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 13, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport October 13, 1903
The Boston Red Sox win the first modern World Series, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth game.
The Boston Red Sox defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the first modern World Series.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 13, 1892
Edward Emerson Barnard is first to discover a comet by photographic means.
Edward Emerson Barnard discovers a comet using photography, marking the first such discovery through this method.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Azerbaijani Railway Day (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
Doi taikomatsuri October 13-15 (Shikokuchūō, Ehime, Japan)
International
Doi taikomatsuri (土居太鼓祭り) is a festival held in Doi, Shikokuchūō, Ehime Prefecture, Japan every year from October 13, 15
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (international)
International
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is an international day that encourages every citizen and government to take part in building more disaster-resilient communities and nations
Paramedics' Day (Poland)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951
Rwagasore Day (Burundi)
International