On This Day: July 13

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.

Go to article »

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

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.

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

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