This Day In History, April 13th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on April 13th.
In Dublin, Ireland, Handel's "Messiah" receives its world premiere.
1861: The American Civil War officially begins as Confederate soldiers bombard Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.
1919: In what is known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, British forces slaughter at least 379 Indian protesters in Amritsar, India, and injure more than 1,200 more.
1943: Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, is recognized with the dedication of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.
1970: While traveling to the Moon, the Apollo 13 spacecraft suffers an oxygen tank explosion, which necessitates a dramatic rescue mission and a successful return to Earth.
April 13th, 1742: Handel's "Messiah" premieres in Dublin, Ireland.
The world premiere of George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" took place at Dublin, Ireland's New Music Hall on April 13, 1742. The show, which served as a charity fundraiser for three Dublin hospitals, was a huge success and won accolades from both the audience and the reviewers. The piece has subsequently grown in popularity, especially the "Hallelujah" chorus, which has made it one of Handel's most well-known and cherished works.
Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, is bombarded by Confederate forces, marking the start of the American Civil War.
Confederate troops shelled Fort Sumter on April 13, 1861, which was situated in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The Civil War in America officially began with the attack on the fort, which was manned by Union troops. Despite the fort suffering severe damage during the 34-hour bombardment, no one on either side was killed. On April 14, the Union abandoned the fort and left. This incident, which sparked a protracted and brutal battle between the northern and southern states, is seen as a turning moment in American history.
British troops kill at least 379 Indian demonstrators and wounded more than 1,200 in Amritsar, India in what is known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
On April 13, 1919, British soldiers led by General Reginald Dyer opened fire on a sizable gathering of nonviolent protesters in the Jallianwala Bagh, a public area in Amritsar, India. The gathering had assembled to voice opposition to the detention of two nationalist leaders and to call for India's independence. At least 379 individuals were killed and more than 1,200 others were injured when the military opened fire without discrimination. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre inspired the Indian independence movement and was widely denounced as a senseless act of brutality against innocent citizens.
The Jefferson Memorial is dedicated in Washington D.C., honoring the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and one of the country's founding fathers, was memorialized with the dedication of the Jefferson Memorial on April 13, 1943, in Washington, D.C. A sizable statue of Thomas Jefferson is shown in the memorial, which was created by John Russell Pope, and is encircled by passages from his works. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, members of Congress, and other dignitaries were present during the dedication ceremony. One of Washington, DC's most visited tourist destinations today and a representation of American democracy and liberty is the Jefferson Memorial.
An oxygen tank explosion cripples the Apollo 13 spacecraft during its journey to the Moon, leading to a dramatic rescue mission and a successful return to Earth.
The Apollo 13 spacecraft suffered substantial damage and the three astronauts' lives were in danger when an oxygen tank exploded while it was traveling to the Moon on April 13, 1970. The crew had to rely on the lunar module as a "lifeboat" while ground control worked on a strategy to return them safely to Earth because the explosion resulted in a loss of power, heat, and oxygen. The dramatic rescue attempt was a success, and the crew spent many days in space before landing on Earth on April 17th, 1970. Since the mission did not succeed in landing on the Moon as planned, it became regarded as the "successful failure" of the Apollo program. Nevertheless, it showed the astronauts' and NASA's fortitude and inventiveness in the face of difficulty.