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December 13, 2024 Holiday:

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th is a day shrouded in superstition and intrigue! This unofficial holiday is often associated with bad luck, misfortune, and even fear. Many people believe that this day brings a heightened sense of anxiety and misadventure, with some even going so far as to avoid making important decisions or taking risks on this day. Despite its ominous reputation, Friday the 13th has also become a popular cultural phenomenon, with many embracing the spooky and mysterious vibes by hosting parties, watching horror movies, or engaging in other thrill-seeking activities. Overall, Friday the 13th is a day that's equal parts eerie and entertaining!

Learn more about Friday the 13th
Holidays on December 13, 2024:

Ice Cream Day

Indulge in the sweetest holiday of the year, Ice Cream Day, on December 13, 2024, with special deals, unique flavors, and sundaes to share with friends and family. more >>

National Cocoa Day

National Cocoa Day on 12/13/2024: Indulge in rich, velvety hot cocoa and cozy up with friends and family. more >>

National Guard Birthday

National Guard Birthday, December 13, 2024: Honoring the rich history and sacrifices of the National Guard, from colonial roots to modern-day missions. more >>

National Day of the Horse

National Day of the Horse, December 13, 2024. Honor the majesty and importance of horses, learn about their contributions, and appreciate their incredible impact on human history. more >>

National Violin Day

National Violin Day, 12/13/2024: Join violin enthusiasts for impromptu performances, workshops, and masterclasses, and discover the world of violin playing. more >>

National Cream Cheese Frosting Day

National Cream Cheese Frosting Day, December 13, 2024: Indulge in the creamy, velvety delight that elevates desserts to new heights of flavor and indulgence. more >>

Official Lost and Found Day

Official Lost and Found Day, December 13, 2024: Reunite with misplaced items, declutter, and appreciate the little things in life. more >>

Lost & Found Day

Lost & Found Day, 12/13/2024: A heartwarming holiday about reuniting with misplaced items and the kindness of strangers who help recover them. more >>

National Popcorn String Day

National Popcorn String Day, December 13, 2024: Create a nostalgic and festive edible garland with popcorn and cranberries, relive childhood memories and make new ones with loved ones. more >>
Birthdays on December 13:

Jamie Foxx

57 Years Old

Academy Award-winning entertainer who excels in various fields, including acting, music, and comedy, starring in iconic films like "Ray" and "Django Unchained".

Taylor Swift

35 Years Old

A global superstar singer-songwriter known for catchy, confessional pop songs and record-breaking albums that often explore themes of love, heartbreak, and self-empowerment.

Dick Van Dyke

99 Years Old

Star of classic TV sitcoms, particularly "The Dick Van Dyke Show," known for his charming wit, physical comedy, and iconic characters.

Ben Bernanke

71 Years Old

The Chairman of the Federal Reserve during the 2008 financial crisis, credited with implementing unconventional monetary policies to stabilize the economy. Known for his calm and d...

Steve Buscemi

67 Years Old

A talented actor and director, known for his quirky, offbeat characters in films like "Fargo" and "Boardwalk Empire", as well as his distinctive voice and comedic timing.

Tom DeLonge

49 Years Old

Lead vocalist and co-founder of Blink-182, known for catchy pop-punk hits and extraterrestrial fascination through various media projects.

Werner von Siemens

Died in 1892, aged 75

Founded the multinational conglomerate Siemens, revolutionizing telecommunications and electrical engineering with groundbreaking inventions like the dynamo and electric tramway. H...

Amy Lee

43 Years Old

Lead vocalist and co-founder of the rock band Evanescence, known for hauntingly beautiful vocals and piano-driven music that explores themes of love, loss, and darkness.

George Pólya

Born in 1887

A renowned mathematician and academic who developed influential problem-solving strategies and wrote seminal books on mathematics, making complex concepts accessible to a broad aud...

Alvin C. York

Died in 1964, aged 76

A heroic World War I soldier who single-handedly captured 132 German soldiers, earning the Medal of Honor for his bravery. He became a celebrated war hero and symbol of American pa...

Henry IV of France

Died in 1610, aged 56

First king of France's Bourbon dynasty, known for ending the Wars of Religion and issuing the Edict of Nantes, granting tolerance to Protestants. He's also famous for his phrase "P...

Christopher Plummer

Died in 2021, aged 91

A renowned actor and producer, he's best known for his iconic roles in film and theater, including Captain von Trapp in "The Sound of Music." He's a master of his craft, with a car...

Events from History on December 13:
88 years ago
Japanese Capture of Nanking and Massacre (Nanjing, China) 1937
General Tang Shengzhi's National Revolutionary Army fought valiantly, but ultimately, the city of Nanjing fell to the Japanese, unleashing a six-week reign of terror. Japanese troops, fueled by a brutal cocktail of imperialism and militarism, committed atrocities, slaughtering thousands, and raping countless women. The streets ran red with blood, and the city was left in ruins, its people shattered. This dark chapter in history would forever be etched as the Nanking Massacre.
18 years ago
European Union reshapes its foundation with Lisbon Treaty (Lisbon, Portugal) 2007
The EU's member states gathered to sign the Treaty of Lisbon, a pivotal document that would revamp the constitutional foundation of the European Union. By amending the Treaty of Rome and the Maastricht Treaty, this new treaty sought to streamline the EU's institutions, enhance its decision-making processes, and strengthen its global role. Effective from December 1, 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon aimed to create a more united, efficient, and influential European Union, ultimately benefiting its citizens and the world at large.
23 years ago
EU Expands to 10 New Members (Brussels, Belgium, European Union) 2002
The European Union's biggest expansion to date was marked on December 13, 2002, when the EU announced that 10 new countries would join the bloc in 2004, creating a united Europe like never before! Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia were the lucky winners, bringing the total number of member states to 25. This historic decision was a huge milestone in the EU's quest for a united and prosperous Europe, promising new economic opportunities, cultural exchanges, and strengthened international relations.
51 years ago
North Vietnamese forces launch 1975 Spring Offensive (South Vietnam) 1974
As North Vietnamese troops surged forward, the fragile peace in South Vietnam began to unravel. The 1975 Spring Offensive, launched on December 13, 1974, marked a decisive turn in the Vietnam War. With the US having withdrawn its troops, the North Vietnamese army, backed by China and the Soviet Union, sensed victory within their grasp. Led by Generals Van Tien Dung and Tran Van Tra, the North Vietnamese forces poured across the demilitarized zone, rapidly gaining ground against the beleaguered South Vietnamese army. Panic set in as cities fell, and the South Vietnamese government teetered on the brink of collapse. By April 30, 1975, Saigon had fallen, and the war was all but over.
22 years ago
Saddam Hussein Captured in Tikrit, Iraq (Tikrit, Iraq) 2003
In the dead of night, a coalition of American forces, accompanied by Kurdish fighters, stormed a small farmhouse on the outskirts of Ad-Dawr, a rural town near Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit. After a brief firefight, the former Iraqi president was dragged out of a cramped hole in the ground, where he had been hiding for nine months. The "Ace of Spades" had finally been caught, marking a symbolic end to the Ba'athist regime and a major milestone in the Iraq War.
480 years ago
Council of Trent marks Counter-Reformation's formal beginning (Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy) 1545
The Catholic Church was in crisis mode - corruption and theological disputes had sparked the Protestant Reformation, and the Church needed a strong response. Pope Paul III called upon the Council of Trent, a gathering of high-ranking clergy, to reform the Church from within and mount a counter-attack against the Reformers. This council, which started on December 13, 1545, would become a defining moment in Catholic history, shaping Church doctrine, reaffirming traditional teachings, and sparking a renewed sense of Catholic identity.
Notable Deaths on December 13:
2016Alan Thicke Versatile performer of laughter and song
2022Stephen "tWitch" Boss High-energy dancer and entertainer
2002Zal Yanovsky Blend of folk, rock, and country music
2006Lamar Hunt Entrepreneurial spark behind two of his passions
1784Samuel Johnson Legendary wordsmith and scholar, compiling the English language's defining lexicon.
1944Wassily Kandinsky Russian-French painter and theorist, exploring the intersection of art and spirituality
1986Heather Angel British-American actress with a silver screen legacy
1945Irma Grese Notorious German concentration camp guard
1924Samuel Gompers Labor leader and American Federation of Labor founder, championing workers' rights and labor reform
1998Lew Grade Ukrainian-born British showbusiness magnate
2018Noah Klieger Inspirational storyteller of holocaust survival
1986Smita Patil Indian actress and journalist trailblazer
1975Cyril Delevanti Pioneer of the American stage
1992Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney French author with literary flair
1979Jon Hall American cinematic performer
1955Egas Moniz Pioneering Portuguese psychiatrist and Nobel laureate
1945Josef Kramer Infamous German concentration camp commandant
1204Maimonides Maimonides was a renowned Jewish scholar and philosopher
1961Grandma Moses Iconic American painter and folk art legend
2004David Wheeler Software architect of innovative solutions