Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3, a North Korean Earth observation satellite, explodes shortly after launch. The United States and other countries had called the impending launch a violation of United Nations Security Council demands.ref name =NK_satellite/ The launch was planned to mark the centenary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the founder of the republic.ref name =NK_satellite
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A 6.9-magnitude earthquake occurs in Qinghai, China, killing at least 2,000 and injuring more than 10,000.
Tercentenary celebrations of the creation of the SikhKhalsa are held.
Kosovo War: NATO warplanes repeatedly bombed ethic Albanian refugee convoys for two hours over twelve-mile stretch of road after mistaking it for Serbian military trucks between Đakovica and Dečani in western Kosovo, killing at least 73 refugees.
Monday, April 13, 1992
Roermond, the Netherlands, is rocked by an earthquake along the Peel Fault.
In Portugal, a coup attempt against António de Oliveira Salazar fails.
Tuesday, April 13, 1948
The Hadassah medical convoy massacre takes place in British Mandate of Palestine.
Tuesday, April 13, 1943
WWII: Radio Berlin announces the discovery by Wehrmacht of mass graves of Poles killed by Soviets in the Katyn massacre.
Monday, April 13, 1942
The United States Federal Communications Commission's minimum programming time required of TV stations is cut from 15 hours to 4 hours a week during the war.
At a meeting in Paris, French Foreign Minister Georges Bonnet meets with Soviet Ambassador Jakob Suritz, and suggests that a peace front comprising France, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, Poland and Romania would deter Germany from war.
John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath" is first published.
America's first recorded riot, the 'Doctors' Mob', begins. Residents of Manhattan are angry about grave robbers stealing bodies for doctors to dissect. The rioting is suppressed on the 15th.
James Cook arrives in Tahiti on the ship HM Bark "Endeavour", preparing to observe the transit of the planet Venus, which takes place on June 3. After the voyage, the data is found to be inaccurate in determining the distance between the Sun and Earth.
Friday, April 13, 1742
George Frideric Handel's oratorio "The Messiah" is first performed in Dublin, Ireland.
Wednesday, April 13, 1735
Emperor Sakuramachi accedes to the throne of Japan.
Samuel Argall captures Algonquian princess Pocahontas in Passapatanzy, Virginia to ransom her for some English prisoners held by her father. She is brought to Henricus as hostage.
June ndash At Jamestown, John Rolfe makes the first shipment of West Indian tobacco grown in Virginia to England.
Wednesday, April 13, 1605
Tsar Boris Godunov dies Feodor II accedes to the Russian throne.
Monday, April 13, 1598
Edict of Nantes: Henry IV of France grants French Huguenots equal rights with Catholics this is considered the end of the French Wars of Religion.
An abbey was set up at Tihany, Hungary by András (Andrew) I. The foundation charter was drawn up on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. This is the earliest written record extant in the Hungarian language.