![Immediate image source: http://www.dsloan.com/Auctions/A22/item-kendall-nebel.html Originally published in George Wilkins Kendall & Carl Nebel: The War between the United States and Mexico Illustrated, Embracing Pictorial Drawings of all the Principal Conflicts, New York: D. Appleton; Philadelphia: George Appleton [Paris: Plon Brothers], 1851.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Nebel_Mexican_War_12_Scott_in_Mexico_City_%28cropped%29.jpg/1920px-Nebel_Mexican_War_12_Scott_in_Mexico_City_%28cropped%29.jpg)
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
May 13 Wednesday, May 13, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 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
2
Holidays
War 235 years ago
The British under Charles Cornwallis defeat a Mysorean army under Tipu Sultan in the battle of Arakere.
British forces led by Charles Cornwallis defeat Mysorean troops under Tipu Sultan at the Battle of Arakere during the Third Anglo-Mysore War.
History
What happened on May 13
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 535Religion
Election of pope Agapetus I following the death of pope John II earlier that month.
Agapetus I is elected pope following the recent death of Pope John II.
- 1110European history
Baldwin I of Jerusalem captures the city of Beirut from the Fatimid Caliphate with the help of a Genoese fleet.
Baldwin I captures Beirut from the Fatimid Caliphate with assistance from a Genoese fleet.
- 1344War
A Latin Christian fleet defeats a Turkish fleet in the battle of Pallene during the Smyrniote crusades.
A Latin Christian fleet triumphs over a Turkish fleet in the Battle of Pallene during the Smyrniote Crusades.
- 1373Religion
Julian of Norwich has visions of Jesus while suffering from a life-threatening illness, visions which are later described and interpreted in her book Revelations of Divine Love.
Julian of Norwich experiences divine visions while ill, later recorded in "Revelations of Divine Love."
- 1501Science
Amerigo Vespucci, this time under Portuguese flag, sets sail for western lands.
Amerigo Vespucci sets sail from Lisbon to explore the western lands on behalf of Portugal.
- 1568Royalty
Mary, Queen of Scots, is defeated at the Battle of Langside, part of the civil war between Queen Mary and the supporters of her son, James VI.
Mary, Queen of Scots suffers a defeat at the Battle of Langside, losing to the forces supporting her son, James VI.
- 1612War
Sword duel between Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro on the shores of Ganryū Island. Kojiro dies at the end.
Miyamoto Musashi defeats Sasaki Kojiro in a sword duel on Ganryū Island, ending Kojiro's life.
- 1654European history
A Venetian fleet under Admiral Cort Adeler breaks through a line of galleys and defeats the Turkish navy.
Admiral Cort Adeler leads a Venetian fleet to victory against the Turkish navy, breaking through their defensive line.
- 1779War
War of the Bavarian Succession: Russian and French mediators at the Congress of Teschen negotiate an end to the war. In the agreement Austria acquires the Innviertel.
Russian and French mediators broker peace at the Congress of Teschen, ending the War of the Bavarian Succession with Austria acquiring the Innviertel region.
- 1791War
The British under Charles Cornwallis defeat a Mysorean army under Tipu Sultan in the battle of Arakere.
British forces led by Charles Cornwallis defeat Mysorean troops under Tipu Sultan at the Battle of Arakere during the Third Anglo-Mysore War.
- 1846US history
Mexican-American War: The United States declares war on the Federal Republic of Mexico following a dispute over the American annexation of the Republic of Texas and a Mexican military incursion.
The United States declares war on Mexico following disputes over Texas's annexation and a border skirmish along the Rio Grande.
- 1985Crime
Police bomb MOVE headquarters in Philadelphia, killing six adults and five children, and destroying the homes of 250 city residents.
A police bombing of MOVE's headquarters in Philadelphia kills six adults and five children, displacing 250 residents.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 13
7 this date All birthdays
Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo
1st Marquis of Pombal, Portuguese politician, Prime Minister of Portugal
Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the Marquis of Pombal, the Portuguese statesman who ruled as chief minister from 1750 to 1777 and led Portugal's recovery after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, was born in 1699.
Born
1699
Died
1782
Alexis Clairaut
French mathematician, astronomer, and geophysicist
1713 – 1765
Horace Coignet
French violinist and composer
1735 – 1821
Londa Schiebinger
American academic and author
b. 1952 · 74
Melanie Thornton
American-German singer
1967 – 2001
Chuck Schuldiner
American singer-songwriter and guitarist
1967 – 2001
P. K. Subban
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on May 13
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Body"— Tion Wayne and Russ Millions
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 13, 1950
The inaugural Formula One World Championship race takes place at Silverstone Circuit. The race was won by Giuseppe Farina, who would go on to become the inaugural champion that year.
Giuseppe Farina wins the first Formula One World Championship race at Silverstone, setting him on course to become the inaugural season champion.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 13, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Abbotsbury Garland Day (Dorset, England)
International
Abbotsbury is a village and civil parish in the English county of Dorset
Rotuma Day (Rotuma)
International
Rotuma Day is an annual celebration on the island of Rotuma, a Fijian dependency
❝
Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster.
— Theodore Roosevelt · born May 13, 1858