Marriage
Anne Neville marries Edward of Westminster, the Lancastrian heir to the throne of Englandm, making her Princess of Wales
historysearch.co.uk visitor counter—
On this date in world history
December 13 in History
This permanent archive page contains 173 World History Database records for December 13, spanning 902 to 2022. Recorded topics include Battle of the Holme; Death of Frederick II; Birth of Alfonso XI the Avenger.
Total: 173Events: 158Births: 1Deaths: 5Battles: 9Countries: 29
Events on December 13
Princess of Wales
Anne Neville marries Edward of Westminster, the Lancastrian heir to the throne of Englandm, making her Princess of Wales
Council of Trent
Opening day of the Council of Trent, without Protestants
Arrest of Thomas Howard and Henry Howard
After the arrests of Norfolk & Surrey Henry ousts them from the Regency Council
Circumnavigation
Sets sail in the Golden Hind
Created Viscount Wentworth
Charles I advanced Wentworth to the rank of viscount.
Discovery of New Zealand
1st European to see New Zealand
Storming of Alton
Waller defeats the Royalist garrison at Alton and takes numerous prisoners during the winter campaign in Hampshire.
Trial
The "Rump Parliament" of 60 members votes that Charles be brought to trial
Journey toward Antwerp
Begins the next stage of his continental journey toward Antwerp before travelling through Maastricht to Aix-la-Chapelle.
Italian Journey
Begins the first Italian journey with Leopold Mozart.
Siege of New Orleans
Martial law is proclaimed in New Orleans as the British forces embark on an attack
Independence of Great Britain
The rescue of 2 Fenians in Clerkenwell gaol causes 12 deaths
Independence of Ireland
The rescue of 2 Fenians in Clerkenwell gaol causes 12 deaths
Independence of South Africa
Kruger, Joubert & Pretorious announce the restoration of republican Government
Independence of South Africa
Kruger, Joubert & Pretorious announce the restoration of republican Government
Independence of South Africa
Kruger, Joubert & Pretorious announce the restoration of republican Government
Independence of Transvaal
Kruger, Joubert & Pretorious announce the restoration of republican Government
Independence of Transvaal
Kruger, Joubert & Pretorious announce the restoration of republican Government
Independence of Transvaal
Kruger, Joubert & Pretorious announce the restoration of republican Government
Paardekraal Meeting
Joins the triumvirate directing the Transvaal rising.
Paardekraal Meeting
Boer leaders proclaim restoration of the republic.
Paardekraal Meeting
Joins Kruger and Joubert in restoring Transvaal authority.
Discovery Expedition
On 30 December 1902, without having left the Barrier, they reached their Furthest South at 82 degrees 17 mins S
Britain & France jointly oppose the German-Turkish military convention
Britain & France jointly oppose the German-Turkish military convention
German Turkish Convention Opposition
Britain and France jointly oppose the German-Turkish military convention.
Rule of Aegean
Greece is awarded some Aegean Islands for the loss of southern Albania to Albania
Rule of Albania
Southern Albania is divided between Albania and Greece
Rule of Macedonia
Greece gains territory in Macedonia
Rule of Thrace
Greece gains territory in Thrace
B11 Escapes Dardanelles Patrols
Holbrook brings B11 back through the minefield despite currents, grounding and Ottoman pursuit.
B11 Minefield Penetration Begins
Holbrook takes submarine B11 beneath the defended minefield in the Dardanelles.
B11 Submarine Attack Supported
Winn serves as first lieutenant during B11's successful attack on Mesudiye and hazardous return passage.
Mesudiye Torpedoed in Sari Siglar Bay
Holbrook torpedoes the Ottoman battleship Mesudiye after penetrating the Dardanelles mine barrier.
Turkestan Speech
Kerensky addresses the Duma on conditions in Turkestan and the Steppe region, criticising official abuses and the government's handling of unrest.
Prime Minister of Poland
Appointed Prime Minister of Poland
Government Ends
His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.
Prime Minister
Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.
Gold Export Embargo
Takahashi immediately restores the gold export embargo and frees the yen from its overvalued parity.
Capture of Nanking
Japanese forces capture Nanjing; mass killing, sexual violence and other atrocities follow during the Nanjing Massacre.
Massacre
20,000 Chinese men are marched out of the city & used for bayonet practice
Siege of Nanking
20,000 women & girls are gang raped by the Japanese, male prisoners are shot. 20,000 Chinese men are marched out of the city & used for bayonet practice. 1st day of the rape of Nanking, orderred by Asaka
Siege of Nanking
Helps oversee Japanese looting
Siege of Nanking
Helps oversee Japanese looting
Achilles Damaged by Near Miss
A near miss from Graf Spee damages Achilles and briefly disrupts the cruiser's course during the morning battle.
Achilles Maintains Pressure after Exeter Withdrawal
After Exeter is forced out of the fight, Parry keeps Achilles engaged alongside Ajax against the German raider.
Achilles Shadows Graf Spee toward Port
Parry's cruiser helps shadow Graf Spee toward Montevideo after Harwood breaks off the close daylight engagement.
Ajax Aft Turrets Disabled
A heavy Graf Spee hit disables Ajax's X turret and jams Y turret, sharply reducing the flagship's available firepower.
Ajax and Achilles Ordered to Close
Harwood presses the two light cruisers closer to bring their six-inch guns effectively into action against Graf Spee.
Ajax Launches Seafox Spotting Aircraft
Ajax launches its Fairey Seafox aircraft to assist observation and spotting during the engagement.
Ajax Launches Torpedoes at Graf Spee
Woodhouse's cruiser launches torpedoes during the close phase of the action, forcing Graf Spee to manoeuvre away.
Ajax Opens Six-Inch Fire on Graf Spee
Woodhouse brings HMS Ajax's six-inch guns into action as Harwood's flagship closes from a separate bearing.
British Cruiser Force Sighted
Graf Spee sights British warships on the morning of 13 December while approaching the River Plate area.
British Force Initially Misidentified
Langsdorff initially mistakes Ajax and Achilles for destroyers accompanying a cruiser, underestimating the British force ahead.
Daylight Engagement Broken Off
Around 07:40 Harwood turns away, intending to shadow Graf Spee and renew the fight later under more favourable conditions.
Divided Cruiser Attack Plan Executed
Harwood separates Exeter from Ajax and Achilles so Graf Spee must divide its fire or leave one British group less engaged.
Emergency Steering Maintains Exeter Control
After communications are wrecked, Exeter uses improvised methods, including men relaying orders, to keep steering the damaged cruiser.
Exeter Bridge Devastated by Heavy Shell
An 11-inch hit and splinters devastate Exeter's bridge, killing or wounding most personnel there and injuring Bell.
Exeter Launches Starboard Torpedoes
Bell's cruiser fires a starboard torpedo salvo at Graf Spee, but the German ship's manoeuvre causes the weapons to miss.
Exeter Opens Eight-Inch Fire
Bell's HMS Exeter opens fire with eight-inch guns soon after Graf Spee begins the engagement.
Exeter Sent to Investigate Smoke
Harwood detaches Exeter to investigate smoke on the horizon before the contact is identified as Admiral Graf Spee.
Exeter Withdraws after Severe Damage
With forward turrets disabled, flooding increasing and electrical systems failing, Bell withdraws Exeter from the main action.
Graf Spee
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo
Graf Spee Closes at High Speed
Believing he has found a vulnerable force, Langsdorff closes rapidly instead of exploiting Graf Spee's longer-range heavy guns.
Graf Spee Shadowed toward Montevideo
Harwood keeps Ajax and Achilles in contact as the damaged German ship steams toward the River Plate estuary.
Light Cruisers Move to Protect Exeter
When Graf Spee turns toward the badly damaged Exeter, Harwood orders Ajax and Achilles to close and draw German fire away.
Main Battery Opens Fire on Exeter
Graf Spee opens fire on HMS Exeter with 283-millimetre guns shortly after 06:17 as the Battle of the River Plate begins.
Neutrality
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo
Turn Made against British Torpedo Threat
Langsdorff alters course as British cruisers attempt torpedo attacks, repeatedly using manoeuvre and smoke to complicate their firing.
Arrest of Pierre Laval
Laval is dismissed and arrested, pressure from German ambassador Otto Abetz secures his release, Laval leaves for Paris and the protection of his German patron
Collaboration
Laval is dismissed and arrested, pressure from German ambassador Otto Abetz secures his release, Laval leaves for Paris and the protection of his German patron
Invasion of Greece
The Armed Forces High Command issued Directive No. 20 on December 13, 1940, the document outlines the Greek campaign under the code designation, "Operation Marita". Orders 24 divisions to assemble in Rumania & advance on Greece through Bulgaria
Operation Marita
The Armed Forces High Command issued Directive No. 20 on December 13, 1940, the document outlines the Greek campaign under the code designation, "Operation Marita". Orders 24 divisions to assemble in Rumania & advance on Greece through Bulgaria. Hitler issues directive Operation Marita for the occupation of the Balkans
Invasion of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Governor, Sir Mark Young, rejects a surrender demand. Reaches the waterfront of Kowloon
Capture of Metz
Captures Metz
Capture of Schmidt Dam
Launches an offensive for the Schmidt Dam to stop the Germans flooding the Roer Valley
Marshall Aid to Britain ceases
Marshall Aid to Britain ceases
Marshall Plan
Marshall Aid to Britain ceases
Treaty of Rome
The Netherlands deposits its instrument of ratification with Italy while Drees remains prime minister.
Treaty of Rome
The Dutch ratification instrument is deposited in Rome, completing the Netherlands' final step before entry into force.
Secret Service Report
A Secret Service report concluded that Jack Martin's claims that Ferrie had associated with Oswald and trained him to fire a rifle were without foundation.
Subpoena Authority
The commission chaired by Warren received statutory authority to compel testimony and evidence when Congress enacted Public Law 88-202.
Warren Commission Subpoena Authority
Johnson's Warren Commission received statutory authority to subpoena witnesses and obtain evidence when Congress enacted Public Law 88-202.
Drama
BBC Two screens an adaptation of the short story "Thirteen to Centaurus" directed by Peter Potter
Counter-Coup
Constantine II launches an unsuccessful counter-coup against the military junta from northern Greece.
Apollo 17 Lunar Sampling
Collects and documents lunar rocks and soil during the final Apollo surface EVA.
Apollo 17 Second EVA
Explores Taurus-Littrow with Schmitt during the mission's second long rover traverse.
Apollo 17 Second EVA
Conducts geological observations and sampling during the second Taurus-Littrow rover traverse.
Apollo 17 Station 6 Traverse
Explores the North Massif area and Station 6 during the mission’s final surface excursion.
Conference of Paris
The North Vietnamese walk out of the Paris peace conference
Fair Trading Bill Second Reading
Introduces the Fair Trading Bill at second reading and argues that stronger competition and consumer protection should operate together.
Economy of Great Britain
Britain cuts the work week to three days to save energy supply
Three Day Week
Faces the economic consequences of reduced working hours, inflation, industrial disruption and energy shortages.
Three Day Week
Announces emergency restrictions to reduce electricity demand during the miners dispute and energy crisis.
Three Day Week
Britain cuts the work week to three days to save energy supply
Three Day Week
Works on government measures to restrict industrial electricity use and preserve fuel supplies.
Three Day Week
Handles industrial relations pressure as the miners overtime ban pushes the government toward emergency energy controls.
Arrest of Solidarity leadership
Arrests 3/4 of the Solidarity leadership
Martial Law
The Council of National Salvation comes to power & declares martial law. The borders are sealed, a curfew imposed, broadcasting controlled. Strikes & assemblies are banned
Martial Law
The Government attempts to destroy the union with the martial law of 1981 and several years of repression, but in the end it had to start negotiating with the union. Jaruzelski declares martial law
Solidarity
Jaruzelski bans Solidarity. Arrests 3/4 of the Solidarity leadership
Strike
Strikes are banned
Prime Minister of Turkey
Appointed Prime Minister of Turkey
Independence of Palestine
Arafat makes a speech in the United Nations recognising Israel & renouncing terrorism
President of Pakistan
The electoral college elects Ghulam Ishaq Khan President.
UN Address
Addresses the United Nations after the PLO declares acceptance of resolutions 242 and 338.
Intercontinental Cup Victory
Guides Sao Paulo to victory over Barcelona in Tokyo.
Sao Paulo Defeats Barcelona
Wins the Intercontinental Cup after taking the Copa Libertadores.
Hubble Servicing Mission 1 Completed
Covey commands Endeavour's return to Earth after the successful first Hubble servicing mission.
Return to Power
Returns as prime minister after elections.
Trial
A Beijing court sentences Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng to 14 years in prison after a closed trial, he is charged with having conspired "to subvert the Government"
Dublin European Council
Hosts the European Council as leaders negotiate monetary rules and treaty reform.
Health of Lance Armstrong
Armstrongs last chemotherapy treatment
Luxembourg Enlargement Process
Chirac supported opening the enlargement process with Central and Eastern European applicant states.
Election
Al Gore admits defeat to George Bush
Election
Al Gore admits defeat to George Bush
Parliament Attack
Armed attackers assault the Indian Parliament complex in New Delhi, prompting a major security and diplomatic crisis.
Copenhagen Enlargement Agreement
Supports completion of accession negotiations with ten countries scheduled to join in 2004.
Copenhagen Enlargement Agreement
Supports the agreement completing accession negotiations with ten countries scheduled to join the Union in 2004.
Copenhagen Enlargement Agreement
Supports completion of accession negotiations with ten countries scheduled to join the Union in 2004.
Arrest of Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein is captured by US soldiers in a 6ft by 8ft hole
Arrest of Saddam Hussein
Found hiding in a spider hole during Operation Red Dawn & captured
Arrest of Saddam Hussein
Operation Red Dawn was launched after gaining actionable intelligence identifying two likely locations of Saddams whereabouts codenamed Objective Wolverine 1 and Wolverine 2, near the town of ad-Dawr.
Arrest of Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein is captured by US soldiers in a 6ft by 8ft hole
Arrest of Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein was captured by the US Armys 4th Infantry Division and members of Task Force 121 during Operation Red Dawn.
Arrest of Saddam Hussein
The First Brigade Combat team of the 4th ID, in addition to Special Forces from Task Force 121 were assigned the mission to capture or kill Saddam Hussein.
Invasion of Iraq
Saddam Hussein was captured by the US Armys 4th Infantry Division and members of Task Force 121 during Operation Red Dawn
Operation Red Dawn
James Hickey of the 4th Infantry Division, with joint operations Task Force 121 with an elite and covert joint special operations team.
Operation Red Dawn
Operation Red Dawn was an American military operation conducted on 13 December 2003 in the town of ad-Dawr, Iraq, near Tikrit, that led to the capture of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein
Operation Red Dawn
Saddam Hussein was captured by the US Army's 4th Infantry Division and members of Task Force 121 during Operation Red Dawn.
Operation Red Dawn
The mission was assigned to the first Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno and led by Col.
Red Dawn
Found hiding in a spider hole during Operation Red Dawn & captured
OPCW WMD Report Presentation
Presents the Commission report to the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and to Dutch parliamentarians.
Charter
The Treaty of Lisbon makes the Unions human rights charter, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, legally binding
Lisbon Treaty Signature
Brown signs the European Union reform treaty at Lisbon.
Politics
The Treaty of Lisbon makes the Unions human rights charter, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, legally binding
Treaty of Lisbon
Signs the Treaty of Lisbon on behalf of Ireland.
Treaty of Lisbon
Signs the Treaty of Lisbon for Ireland as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Treaty of Lisbon
Bakoyannis signs Lisbon alongside Karamanlis, representing Greek diplomacy at the treaty ceremony.
Treaty of Lisbon
Karamanlis adds Greece's signature to the Lisbon reform treaty on behalf of the government.
Treaty of Lisbon
Amends the Treaty on European Union (TEU, Maastricht; 1992) and the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC, Rome; 1957), renamed to Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)
Treaty of Lisbon
Changes include more qualified majority voting in the Council of Minister's & increased involvement of the European Parliament in the legislative process through extended codecision with the Council of Minister's.
Treaty of Lisbon
Signed by the European Union (EU) member states, and enters into force on 1 December 2009. Plays a central role in the negotiation of the Treaty of Lisbon and the Berlin Declaration.
Treaty of Lisbon
Signs the Treaty of Lisbon for Germany alongside Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Treaty of Lisbon
The aim of the Treaty is "to complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam [1997] and by the Treaty of Nice [2001] with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the EU and to improving the coherence of its action".
Treaty of Lisbon
The Treaty of Lisbon makes the Unions human rights charter, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, legally binding.
Treaty of Lisbon
Signs the Treaty of Lisbon for Italy as President of the Council of Ministers.
Treaty of Lisbon
arranges a ceremony inside the 15th century Jeronimos Monastery, the same place Portugals Treaty of accession to the European Union (EU) was signed in 1985.
Treaty of Lisbon
Representatives from the 27 EU member states were present, and signed the Treaty as plenipotentiaries, marking the end of Treaty negotiations.
Treaty of Lisbon
The signing of the Treaty of Lisbon took place in Lisbon, Portugal on 13 December 2007. The Government of Portugal, by virtue of holding Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the time, arranged a ceremony inside the 15th century Jerónimos Monastery, the same place Portugal's treaty of accession to the European Union (EU) was signed in 1985
Treaty of Lisbon
The signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Government of Portugal, by virtue of holding Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the time.
Treaty of Lisbon Signature
Brown signs the Treaty of Lisbon after becoming Prime Minister.
Treaty of Lisbon Signature
Sarkozy signed the Treaty of Lisbon for France as the European Union sought institutional reform after the failed constitutional treaty.
Treaty of Lisbon Signature
Signs the Treaty of Lisbon for Germany alongside Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Acting Governor-General Returns
Jeffery Nape again serves as acting Governor-General
Hodeidah Ceasefire Framework
The accord addresses Hodeidah, prisoners and Taiz.
Stockholm Agreement
His government signs the Stockholm Agreement with the Houthis.
Respect for Marriage Act
Signs the Respect for Marriage Act.
Births on December 13
Birth of Alfonso XI the Avenger
Birth of Alfonso XI the Avenger, son of Ferdinand IV
Deaths on December 13
Death of Frederick II
Death of Frederick II
Death of Sixtus V
Birth of Sixtus V, Felice Peretti di Montalto, in the Papal States
Death of Smita Patil
Death of Smita Patil
Dyatlov Death
Dies in Kyiv on 13 December 1995 after years of serious health problems following his radiation exposure at Chernobyl.
Dyatlov Death
Dies in Kyiv on 13 December 1995 after years of serious health problems following his radiation exposure at Chernobyl.
Battles on December 13
Battle of the Holme
Aethelwold died while leading East Anglian Danes against Edward’s forces.
Battle of the Holme
Eohric was killed fighting beside Aethelwold against the Kentish army.
Battle of Fredericksburg
Leads the Northern army of 113,000 defended by Jackson with 75,000. Fails to capture Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is defended by Jackson with a southern army of 75,000. Burnside leads a Northern army of 113,000 but fails to capture Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
Supports Jackson at Fredericksburg
Battle of Nooitgedacht
De la Rey combines with Beyers to attack Clements's camp at Nooitgedacht and inflict a severe defeat.
Achilles Opens Fire during River Plate Battle
Parry's HMS Achilles opens fire with six-inch guns while operating with Ajax against Graf Spee.
Battle of River Plate
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo. Allowed to stay for 24 hours under the terms of the Hague convention of 1907
Montevideo Selected after River Plate Battle
After the engagement, Langsdorff heads for neutral Montevideo to land wounded men, release prisoners and assess battle damage.