Discover the Historical Events and Famous People Born on November 13

November 13 is a day that has seen many important events in history. It’s also the birthday of some very interesting people. In this article, we’ll learn about big things that happened on this day and about people who were born on November 13. From kings and letters to movies and music, this day has many stories to tell.

Historical Events of November 13

1565: King Philip II’s Letters

On November 13, 1565, letters from King Philip II of Spain arrived in Brussels. These letters were about religion. The king said he would not stop punishing people who believed differently from the Catholic Church.

Philip II was very strict about religion. His letters showed that he would not change his mind about punishing people he called heretics. These were people who had different religious beliefs.

These letters made life harder for many people in the Netherlands, which Spain ruled at that time. Later, this led to a big rebellion against Spanish rule.

1789: Franklin’s Famous Quote

On November 13, 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote something that people still quote today. In a letter to his friend Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, he wrote that only two things in life are certain: death and taxes.

Franklin wrote this letter near the end of his life. He was talking about how America’s new government was working well, even though nothing in life is completely certain.

This quote became very famous because it’s both funny and true. People still use it today when they talk about taxes or things that can’t be avoided.

1856: Big Ben’s First Chimes

On November 13, 1856, the big bell called Big Ben rang for the first time. This happened in London, even though the clock tower wasn’t finished yet.

Big Ben is actually the name of the bell, not the tower. The bell weighs 13.7 tons and makes the famous “bong” sound that people hear in London.

Today, Big Ben is one of the most famous symbols of London. Its sound has been heard on radio and television for many years, telling people what time it is.

1940: Fantasia Premiere

On November 13, 1940, Walt Disney’s movie “Fantasia” was shown for the first time in New York City. This was a special kind of cartoon movie that mixed animation with classical music.

The movie showed Mickey Mouse and other characters dancing to famous pieces of music. It even had dancing hippos! The Philadelphia Orchestra played the music.

“Fantasia” was very different from other cartoons. It helped show that animated movies could be serious art, not just funny stories for kids.

1964: Pope Paul VI’s Decision

On November 13, 1964, Pope Paul VI did something unusual. He gave away his papal crown, which was made of gold and jewels. He wanted the money from it to help poor people.

This showed that the Catholic Church was changing. The Pope wanted to show that helping people was more important than having expensive things.

This decision helped make the Church seem more modern and caring about regular people. It was part of bigger changes happening in the Catholic Church at that time.

Famous Birthdays on November 13

Edward III (1312-1377)

Edward III was born on November 13, 1312. He became one of England’s most successful medieval kings.

Here’s a brief biography of Edward III:

Edwin Booth (1833-1893)

Edwin Booth was born on November 13, 1833. He was one of America’s greatest Shakespeare actors.

Here’s a brief biography of Edwin Booth:

Buck O’Neil (1911-2006)

Buck O’Neil was born on November 13, 1911. He was the first Black coach in Major League Baseball and a great player in the Negro Leagues.

Here’s a brief biography of Buck O’Neil:

Garry Marshall (1934-2016)

Garry Marshall was born on November 13, 1934. He created many famous TV shows and directed popular movies.

Here’s a brief biography of Garry Marshall:

Whoopi Goldberg (born 1955)

Whoopi Goldberg was born on November 13, 1955. She is an actress, comedian, and TV host who has won many awards.

Here’s a brief biography of Whoopi Goldberg:

Takeaway

November 13 has been a day of big events and important births throughout history. We’ve seen how it was a day when kings made decisions, bells first rang, and movies changed animation. We’ve also learned about some very different people who were born on this day – from kings and actors to baseball players and comedians.

Each of these events and people has left a mark on our world. From Edward III’s military success to Goldberg’s entertainment career, from Franklin’s wise words to Marshall’s beloved TV shows, November 13 has given us a lot to remember and think about.

Learning about history helps us understand our world better. It shows us how things have changed over time and how the actions of people in the past still affect us today. So next time November 13 comes around, remember all these interesting events and people!

References:

1. Parker, G. (2014). Imprudent King: A New Life of Philip II. Yale University Press.
2. Isaacson, W. (2003). Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. Simon & Schuster.
3. Hill, C. (2010). Big Ben: the Bell, the Clock and the Tower. Peter Davies Ltd.
4. Solomon, C. (1987). Enchanted Drawings: The History of Animation. Knopf.
5. Hebblethwaite, P. (1993). Paul VI: The First Modern Pope. Paulist Press.
6. Ormrod, W. M. (2011). Edward III. Yale University Press.
7. Watermeier, D. J. (1990). Edwin Booth: A Biography and Performance History. McFarland.
8. Howard, B. (2019). Buck O’Neil: A Baseball Life. University Press of Kansas.
9. Marshall, G. (2012). My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir. Crown Archetype.
10. Goldberg, W. (2010). Is It Just Me?: Or Is It Nuts Out There? Hyperion.