Updated July 12, 2012, 2:28 pm

On July 13, 1977, a 25-hour blackout hit the New York City area after lightning struck upstate power lines.
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On July 13, 1821, Nathan Bedford Forrest, the notorious Confederate Civil War general , was born. Following his death on Oct. 29, 1877, his obituary appeared in The Times.
Go to obituary » | Other birthdays »
On This Date
By The Associated Press
| 1793 |
French revolutionary writer Jean Paul Marat was stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday, who was executed four days later. |
| 1863 |
Rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City; about 1,000 people died over three days. |
| 1923 |
A sign consisting of 50-foot-tall letters spelling out “HOLLYWOODLAND” was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills to promote a subdivision (the last four letters were removed in 1949) |
| 1930 |
France beat Mexico 4-1 in the first match of soccer’s inaugural World Cup tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay. |
| 1939 |
Frank Sinatra made his first commercial recording, “From the Bottom of My Heart” and “Melancholy Mood,” with Harry James and his Orchestra for the Brunswick label. |
| 1960 |
John F. Kennedy won the Democratic presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Los Angeles. |
| 1977 |
A 25-hour blackout hit the New York City area after lightning struck upstate power lines. |
| 1985 |
Live Aid, a concert to raise money for Africa’s starving people, was held in London, Philadelphia, Moscow and Sydney, Australia. |
Current Birthdays
By The Associated Press
Actor Patrick Stewart turns 72 years old today.
AP Photo/Evan Agostini
Actor-comedian Cheech Marin turns 66 years old today.
AP Photo/Evan Agostini
| 1942 |
Harrison Ford, Actor, turns 70 |
| 1942 |
Roger McGuinn, Rock singer, musician (The Byrds), turns 70 |
| 1951 |
Didi Conn, Actress, turns 61 |
| 1954 |
Louise Mandrell, Singer, turns 58 |
| 1957 |
Cameron Crowe, Director, turns 55 |
| 1962 |
Tom Kenny, Comedian, voice actor (“SpongeBob SquarePants”, turns 50 |
Historic Birthdays
Nathan Bedford Forrest 7/13/1821 – 10/29/1877 American Confederate general.Go to obituary »
| 87 |
Simeon North 7/13/1765 – 8/25/1852 American firearms manufacturer |
| 76 |
Otto Wagner 7/13/1841 – 4/11/1918 Austrian architect |
| 88 |
Sidney Webb 7/13/1859 – 10/13/1947 English economist |
| 95 |
Mordecai Ardon 7/13/1896 – 6/18/1992 Israeli painter |
| 79 |
Mickey Walker 7/13/1901 – 4/28/1981 American professional boxer |
| 88 |
Sir Reginald Goodall 7/13/1901 – 5/5/1990 English opera conductor |
| 69 |
Dave Garroway 7/13/1913 – 7/21/1982 American newscaster and television host |
| 36 |
Alberto Ascari 7/13/1918 – 5/26/1955 Italian automobile racing driver |
| 74 |
Charles Scribner, Jr. 7/13/1921 – 11/11/1995 American book publisher |