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On this day in History Archives
 
At PaulsQuiz.com we aim to provide you with as much information as we possibly can. That's why we have built our On This Day in History section, to do just that. Our database is forever growing, we're adding more and more events from history to help you write your quiz questions.

Simply enter a date using the drop-down boxes below and click the 'Go' button to display events from the past that ocurred on that day.
 

 
13 December, 2006
The Baiji, or Chinese River Dolphin, announced as extinct.
13 December, 2004
Former Chilean dictator, General Augusto Pinochet is put under house arrest, after being sued under accusations over 9 kidnapping actions and manslaughter. The house arrest is lifted the same day on appeal.
13 December, 2003
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured near his home town of Tikrit (see Operation Red Dawn).
13 December, 2003
In the most-attended basketball game in history, 78,129 watch Michigan State University lose 79-74 to the University of Kentucky at Ford Field.
13 December, 2002
Enlargement of the European Union: The European Union announces that Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia will become members from May 1, 2004.
13 December, 2001
the Indian Parliament Sansad is attacked by terrorists, killing 15 people, including all the terrorists.
13 December, 2000
The "Texas 7" escape from the John Connally Unit near Kenedy, Texas and go on a robbery spree, during which police officer Aubrey Hawkins is shot and killed.
13 December, 2000
American Vice President Al Gore delivers his concession speech ending his hopes of becoming the 43rd President of the United States.
13 December, 1996
Kofi Annan is elected as Secretary-General of the United Nations.
13 December, 1989
The last issue of Gnistan (The Spark), the organ of the Solidaritetspartiet, is published in Sweden.
13 December, 1983
The Denver Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons play in the highest scoring NBA game in history, with the Pistons winning 186-184 in triple overtime. In addition to most points in a game, this game also set the record for most field goals made (136), and most assists (93).
13 December, 1981
General Wojciech Jaruzelski declares martial law in Poland to prevent dismantling of the communist system by Solidarity.
13 December, 1979
The Canadian Government of Prime Minister Joe Clark is defeated in the House of Commons, prompting the 1980 Canadian election.
13 December, 1978
The first Susan B. Anthony dollar enters circulation.
13 December, 1977
A DC-3 aircraft chartered from the Indianapolis-based National Jet crashes near Evansville Regional Airport, killing 29, including the University of Evansville basketball team, support staff and boosters of the team.
13 December, 1974
Malta becomes a republic.
13 December, 1973
Rael, leader of the Raelian Movement claims to meet an ET he says is named Yahweh, during an alleged UFO encounter in Puy de Lassolas, France.
13 December, 1972
Apollo program: Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt begin the sixth and final Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) or "Moonwalk" of Apollo 17. This was the last manned mission to the moon of the 20th century.
13 December, 1959
Archbishop Makarios becomes the first President of Cyprus.
13 December, 1949
The Knesset votes to move the capital of Israel to Jerusalem.
13 December, 1943
World War II: 710 Bombers of U.S. 8th Air Force attack Kiel, Germany.
13 December, 1941
World War II: Hungary and Romania declare war on the United States.
13 December, 1939
World War II: Battle of the River Plate - Captain Hans Langsdorff of the German Deutschland class cruiser (pocket battleship) Admiral Graf Spee engages with Royal Navy cruisers HMS Exeter, HMS Ajax and HMNZS Achilles.
13 December, 1938
The Holocaust: 100 deportees from Sachsenhausen build the Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg.
13 December, 1937
Second Sino-Japanese War: Battle of Nanjing - Nanjing, defended by the National Revolutionary Army under the command of General Tang Shengzhi, falls to the Japanese.
13 December, 1937
Nanjing Massacre. Japanese troops begin carrying out several weeks of raping and killing of civilians and suspected Chinese resistance after the fall of Nanjing.
13 December, 1895
Premiere of Gustav Mahlers Resurrection Symphony in Berlin.
13 December, 1884
first performance of any of Richard Strausss compositions in the United States (Symphony in f, New York Philharmonic)
13 December, 1862
American Civil War: At the Battle of Fredericksburg, Confederate General Robert E. Lee defeats the Union Major General Ambrose E. Burnside.
13 December, 1769
Dartmouth College founded by the Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, with a Royal Charter from King George III, on land donated by Royal Governor John Wentworth.
13 December, 1643
English Civil War: The Battle of Alton takes place in Hampshire.
13 December, 1642
Abel Janszoon Tasman reaches New Zealand.
13 December, 1636
The Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians. This organization is recognized today as the founding of the United States National Guard.
13 December, 1577
Sir Francis Drake sets out from Plymouth, England, on his round-the-world voyage.
13 December, 1545
Council of Trent begins.
13 December, 1294
Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months; Celestine hoped to return to his previous life as an ascetic hermit.

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