Discover what happened on June 13 in history, featuring landmark legal decisions, memorable sports victories, technological innovations, and events that helped shape American culture and history.
What Happened on June 13 in History?
Important events on this day include the Supreme Court establishing Miranda Rights in Miranda v. Arizona, the opening of the world’s first roller coaster at Coney Island, the Detroit Pistons winning their first NBA championship, and the first successful parachute jump from an airplane.
JUNE 13 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1789 – Ice cream was served to General George Washington by Mrs. Alexander Hamilton.
1825 – Walter Hunt patented the safety pin. Hunt then then sold the rights for $400.
1884 – The world’s first roller coaster opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY. It was called the “Gravity Pleasure Switchback Railway” and cars traveled at a speed of 6 miles per hour.
1866 – The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by Congress. It was ratified on July 9, 1868. The amendment was designed to grant citizenship to, and protect the civil liberties of, recently freed slaves. It did this by prohibiting states from denying or abridging the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States, depriving any person of his life, liberty, or property without due process of law, or denying to any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
1888 – Congress created the Department of Labor.
1912 – Captain Albert Berry made the first successful parachute jump from an airplane in Jefferson, MS.
1920 – The U.S. Post Office Department ruled that children may not be sent by parcel post.
1922 – Charlie Osborne started the longest attack of hiccups. He hiccuped over 435 million times before stopping. He died in 1991, 11 months after his hiccups ended.
1924 – The Detroit Tigers lost to the New York Yankees after Tiger pitcher Bert Cole hit Bob Meusel with a pitch. The resulting riot by the 18,000 fans caused a Tiger forfeit.
1927 – Charles Lindbergh was honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York, NY.
1927 – For the first time, an American Flag was displayed from the right hand of the Statue of Liberty.
1944 – Marvin Camras patented the wire recorder.
1948 – Babe Ruth’s #3 was retired as he made his final appearance at Yankee Stadium.
1966 – The landmark “Miranda v. Arizona” decision was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court, which obligates police officers to read arrested persons their constitutional rights.
1967 – President Lyndon Johnson nominated Solicitor-General Thurgood Marshall, a grandson of slaves, to become the first black Justice of the Supreme Court.
1977 – James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of Martin Luther King Junior, was recaptured and returned to jail after escaping for three days.
1979 – Sioux Indians were awarded $105 million in compensation for the U.S. seizure in 1877 of their Black Hills in South Dakota.
1983 – The unmanned U.S. space probe Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to leave the solar system. It was launched in March 1972. The first up-close images of the planet Jupiter were provided by Pioneer 10.
1988 – The Liggett Group, a cigarette manufacturer, was found liable for a lung-cancer death. They were, however, found innocent by the federal jury of misrepresenting the risks of smoking.
1989 – The Detroit Pistons won their first National Basketball Association title. They beat the L.A. Lakers in four games.
1989 – Jerry Lee Lewis got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1989 – President George H.W. Bush exercised his first Presidential veto on a bill dealing with minimum wage.
1994 – A jury in Anchorage, AK, found Exxon Corp. and Captain Joseph Hazelwood to be reckless in the Exxon Valdez oil spill, allowing victims of the oil spill to seek $15 billion in damages.
1997 – Jurors in Oklahoma City, OK sentence terrorist bomber Timothy McVeigh to death for his part in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombings.
2002 – The Detroit Red Wings won their third Stanley Cup in six years, by beating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 at Joe Louis Arena to win the Finals in five games. After the game, coach Scotty Bowman announced his retirement.
2005 – Michael Jackson was found not guilty on all 10 counts in his 14 week child molestation trial.
2007 – Kelly Allen Frank, who was arrested in 2005 for a scheme to kidnap David Letterman’s son and his nanny and escaped from prison on June 8th, was recaptured.
2017 – The Grand Rapids Griffins won the Calder Cup. The Griffins beat the Syracuse Crunch 4-3 in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals in front of a sold-out crowd at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.
2022 – Flooding at Yellowstone National Park swept away a bridge and washed out roads.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 13:
Irvin D. Yalom – 95 years old (1931) – Psychotherapist and academic
James Anthony Griffin – 92 years old (1934) – Bishop
Leonard Kleinrock – 92 years old (1934) – Computer scientist and engineer
Eleanor Holmes Norton – 89 years old (1937) – Lawyer and politician
Marcel Lachemann – 85 years old (1941) – Baseball player, coach and manager
Whitley Strieber – 81 years old (1945) – Author
Paul L. Modrich – 80 years old (1946) – Biochemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
Joe Roth – 78 years old (1948) – Director and producer, co-founded Morgan Creek Productions
Ann Druyan – 77 years old (1949) – Popular science writer
Howard Leese – 75 years old (1951) – Guitarist and producer
Richard Thomas – 75 years old (1951) – Actor, director, and producer
Tim Allen – 73 years old (1953) – Actor, comedian, and producer
Leah Ward Sears – 71 years old (1955) – German-American lawyer and jurist
Sal Paolantonio – 70 years old (1956) – Lieutenant and journalist
Roy Cooper – 69 years old (1957) – Lawyer and politician, 75th Governor of North Carolina
Bruce Flowers – 69 years old (1957) – Basketball player
Dicky Thompson – 69 years old (1957) – Golfer
Davey Hamilton – 64 years old (1962) – Race car driver
Glenn Michibata – 64 years old (1962) – Canadian-American tennis player and coach
Ally Sheedy – 64 years old (1962) – Actress and author
Hannah Storm – 64 years old (1962) – Journalist and author
Audrey Niffenegger – 63 years old (1963) – Author and academic
Sunny Balwani – 61 years old (1965) – Pakistani-American businessman and criminal
Lukas Ligeti – 61 years old (1965) – Austrian-American drummer and composer
Laura Kightlinger – 57 years old (1969) – Actress, comedian, producer and screenwriter
Rivers Cuomo – 56 years old (1970) – Rock musician
Sam Adams – 53 years old (1973) – Football player
Tanner Foust – 53 years old (1973) – Race car driver and television host
Valeri Bure – 52 years old (1974) – Russian-American ice hockey player
Steve-O – 52 years old (1974) – Stunt performer
Jeff Davis – 51 years old (1975) – Screenwriter and producer
Jennifer Nicole Lee – 51 years old (1975) – Model, actress and author
Earthwind Moreland – 49 years old (1977) – Football player
Ethan Embry – 48 years old (1978) – Actor
Miguel Pate – 47 years old (1979) – Long jumper
Ryan Pickett – 47 years old (1979) – Director, producer and screenwriter
Jamario Moon – 46 years old (1980) – Basketball player
Chris Evans – 45 years old (1981) – Actor and producer
Nate Jones – 44 years old (1982) – Football player
Steve Novak – 43 years old (1983) – Basketball player
Kat Dennings – 40 years old (1986) – Actress and comedian
Jonathan Lucroy – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball catcher
Ashley Olsen – 40 years old (1986) – Child actress, fashion designer and businesswoman
Mary-Kate Olsen – 40 years old (1986) – Child actress, fashion designer and businesswoman
Gabe Carimi – 38 years old (1988) – Football player
Cody Walker – 38 years old (1988) – Actor
Ryan McDonagh – 37 years old (1989) – Ice hockey defenseman
Hassan Whiteside – 37 years old (1989) – Basketball player
James McCann – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player
Will Claye – 35 years old (1991) – Jumper
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 13:
- World Gin Day: Distilled from Juniper berries, gin is one of the sweetest, most subtly flavored liquors. Have a martini, gin and tonic, negroni, or any other gin cocktail.
- Trooping the Colour: Experience the grand spectacle of thousands of soldiers and musicians marching in precision in a centuries-old British tradition.
- National Dragonfly Day: These ethereal creatures, with their shimmering wings and graceful flight, add a touch of magic to the world.
- National Marina Day: National Marina Day brings energy to the docks. It celebrates the people who keep marinas operating smoothly and the visitors who arrive for simple waterfront enjoyment. Even someone who has never stepped onto a boat can feel the charm of a marina, where the air carries traces of sunscreen, fuel...
- National Sewing Machine Day: Try working with a simple thread and needle to really appreciate how much the sewing machine has changed the speed and ease with which we can make things.
- National Golf Cart Day: Have you ever thought about the use of golf carts beyond the course? These small vehicles do a lot more than carry clubs. They help people get around neighborhoods, parks, airports, and big events. You’ll see them at music festivals, retirement communities, and even inside some factories. They’re quiet, easy to...
- International Community Association Managers Day: Every year on this day, International Community Association Managers Day shines a spotlight on the professionals who keep shared-living communities thriving. When a neighborhood, condominium building, or housing cooperative seems to run on quiet autopilot, there is usually a community association manager in the background making sure the lights stay...
- National Chamoy Day: National Chamoy Day honors a zesty Mexican treat that mixes sweet, spicy, sour, and salty tastes in one drizzle. It starts with dried fruit like apricot or mango, then adds lime and chili. The result dances across your taste buds, making fresh fruit, snacks, and drinks more exciting. People gather...
- World Softball Day: Get together a group of friends and get outside to play a fun, competitive, game of softball. Good exercise, good times with friends—what more could you want?
- National Weed Your Garden Day: Dig in the dirt, feel the sun on your skin, and uproot those pesky weeds! You'll uncover a beautiful canvas for your green thumb to paint on. Happy gardening!
- Worldwide Knit in Public Day: Show the world you’re proud of your hard-earned knitting skills by taking your needles and yarn out into public and crafting something lovely in front of everyone.
- National Rosé Day: It’s lighter than a rich red, but still maintains ample flavor of the skin of grape. Gather some friends and family and have a rosé wine tasting party.
- World Doll Day: Take a walk down memory lane by visiting your childhood dolls, or donate old dolls to kids to give others a chance to bond with these popular toys.
- National Posttraumatic Growth Day: Emerging stronger from life's challenges, individuals discover newfound resilience, wisdom, and a renewed sense of purpose.
- International Albinism Awareness Day: Imagine a day dedicated to understanding, including, and celebrating unique individuals. That day is International Albinism Awareness Day! It's a special time to learn about albinism, a genetic condition that affects people worldwide, regardless of gender or ethnicity. This day illuminates the challenges faced by those with albinism and promotes...
- International Axe Throwing Day: Axe throwing is fun and for many a great way to blow off steam. See if any axe throwing locations near you are hosting a free event for Axe Throwing Day.
- National Random Acts of Light Day: Promoting understanding and offering support to those battling blood cancers can make a significant difference in their lives.
- National Outlet Shopping Day: Bags rustle, people laugh, and sale signs fill every window. National Outlet Shopping Day captures that unmistakable outlet-mall energy: equal parts treasure hunt, style mission, and friendly competition with a bargain bin. It is not only about buying more for less, although the math can be pretty satisfying. It is...
- Feast of St. Anthony: The Feast of St. Anthony centers on one of the most warmly loved figures in the Catholic calendar: St. Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan friar famous for clear preaching, compassionate ministry, and a reputation for practical help when something or someone feels lost. The celebration blends reverence with neighborhood-style joy...
- National Fishing and Boating Week: National Fishing and Boating Week is a special time each year that encourages everyone to explore the joys of fishing and boating. Celebrated annually, it's a perfect moment to get outdoors, enjoy the water, and perhaps catch some fish. It's a period packed with fun, relaxation, and learning for people...
- National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day: Imagine someone stepping into the kitchen with big plans and a well-meaning apron. The recipe is pulled up, the ingredients are lined up, and confidence is running high. Then the flour bag topples like it has a grudge, a spoon clatters into the sink, and the lid on the blender...
- International Clothesline Week: International Clothesline Week, celebrated annually, spotlights the old yet highly beneficial practice of drying clothes. It's a week dedicated to embracing the simple joy and advantages of hanging laundry outdoors. The fresh air and sunshine make clothes smell great and bring a bit of exercise and relaxation into our daily routines. How...
- National Productive Business Civility Day: National Productive Business Civility Day highlights the strength of combining efficiency with respect. It encourages professionals to work smarter while treating others with courtesy. This day reminds us that success grows when people collaborate with kindness and purpose. Whether in a boardroom or on a video call, the goal is the...
- National Trailer Safety Week: National Trailer Safety Week is a dedicated week when experts, manufacturers, dealers, and trailer users unite to raise awareness about towing safety. It focuses on sharing clear, helpful tips—for instance, choosing the right hitch, checking tire pressure, and loading cargo properly—to prevent common problems like sway, light failures, or loose...
- National Little League Baseball Week: Batter up! Kids swinging for the fences, cheers from the crowd, and an abundance of team spirit. It's baseball fun for everyone!
- National Headache Awareness Week: National Headache Awareness Week aims to shed light on the significant impact headaches have on everyday life. Celebrated in early June, this awareness week draws attention to the millions who suffer from migraines and other types of headaches. The event plays a crucial role in driving conversation and support around...
- National Garden Week: Cultivating nature's beauty offers peace, creativity, and a rewarding escape from daily life's hustle and bustle.
- British Heart Week: British Heart Week is a vital event dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and the importance of heart care. Organized by the British Heart Foundation, this week-long observance emphasizes the significance of cardiovascular well-being. How to Celebrate British Heart Week Get Moving Why not kick off British Heart Week with a...
- British Tomato Fortnight: British Tomato Fortnight is an exciting time that celebrates the peak season for homegrown tomatoes in the UK. This event highlights the wonderful flavors and health benefits of British tomatoes, encouraging everyone to enjoy this versatile fruit in various dishes! How to Celebrate British Tomato Fortnight Host a Tomato Tasting...
- Meet A Mate Week: Attend any number of fun events and meetups for singles during Meet a Mate week, and take the chance on finally finding your true love, no app required.
- Diabetes Week: Did you know that the number of people with diabetes keeps growing each year? Diabetes Week aims to highlight this and raise awareness about living with this condition. This event brings attention to the struggles and achievements of those affected by diabetes. It encourages everyone to engage in conversations about...
- Team Green Britain Bike Week: Team Green Britain Bike Week is a vibrant event that promotes cycling across the UK. It encourages everyone to get on their bikes, enjoy the outdoors, and embrace a healthier lifestyle. The week is filled with various activities and events that cater to all age groups and skill levels, making...
- National Pet Wedding Week: Did you know that there's a special week just for pet lovers to celebrate their furry friends uniquely? National Pet Wedding Week, observed annually during the second week of June, is a time when pets get to experience the joys of a wedding ceremony! How to Celebrate National Pet Wedding...
- National Commuter Challenge: The National Commuter Challenge is an exciting event that invites people across Canada to leave their cars at home and embrace sustainable transportation. During this week-long challenge, participants can walk, cycle, carpool, or use public transit instead of driving alone. It's a fun competition between cities and workplaces, encouraging everyone...
- Lisbon Sardine Festival: The Lisbon Sardine Festival is a vibrant and lively celebration that fills the streets of the Portuguese capital with energy. During this festival, the scent of grilled sardines wafts through the air as locals and visitors come together to enjoy this beloved tradition. Music, dancing, and laughter create a joyful atmosphere...
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