This Day In History, January 13th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on January 13th.
The Nika riots, which cause extensive destruction and the deaths of thousands of people, start in Constantinople in 532.
Published in 1898, Émile Zola's renowned newspaper piece "J'accuse" accuses the French government of anti-Semitism and the unfair imprisonment of Alfred Dreyfus.
1968 - Johnny Cash gives a live performance at Folsom State Prison that is ultimately published as a well-known record.
1982: After taking off in a snowstorm, Air Florida Flight 90 crashes into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C., killing 78 people.
1990 - When Douglas Wilder takes office as governor of Virginia, he does so as the nation's first African American governor.
This Day In History, January 13th 532: – The Nika riots break out in Constantinople, resulting in widespread destruction and the deaths of thousands of people.
Massive unrest known as the Nika riots occurred in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul, Turkey) in January of 532. Tensions between many groups in the city, especially between the Blues and the Greens, two rival chariot racing teams, led to the start of the riots. The riots against the rule of Emperor Justinian I gradually grew worse and turned into a full-fledged uprising. The rebels fought fierce skirmishes with the imperial army while also setting buildings on fire and looting stores. After a week of brutal battle, the army was eventually summoned in by the emperor, and the insurrection was put down. The violence claimed the lives of thousands of people and left most of the city in ruins. One of the worst and most violent riots was that of Nika.
Émile Zola's famous newspaper article "J'accuse" is published, accusing the French government of anti-Semitism and unjustly imprisoning Alfred Dreyfus.
The French author Émile Zola's open letter "J'accuse" appeared in the newspaper L'Aurore on January 13, 1898. The letter claimed that the French government was anti-Semitic and had wrongfully imprisoned and convicted a Jewish army commander called Alfred Dreyfus on treason-related charges. Zola maintained that Dreyfus was innocent and had been set up by the military elite after being charged with leaking military secrets to Germany. In France, Zola's letter created a sensation and contributed to the uprising in favor of Dreyfus. The incident caused a stir and split French society for many years. After numerous hearings and appeals, Dreyfus was ultimately cleared and allowed to rejoin the service. The incident had a profound effect on French politics and society and is seen as a turning point in the history of anti-Semitism in France and the fight for human rights.
Johnny Cash performs live at Folsom State Prison, a concert which is later released as a popular album.
Country music icon Johnny Cash gave two concerts on January 13, 1968, at Folsom State Prison, a high-security facility in California. One of Cash's most well-known and highly regarded albums, "At Folsom Prison," which was created from the recordings of the concerts, was later released. Some of Cash's most well-known songs, including "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk the Line," as well as a number of songs written by the prisoners themselves, were performed on the album. Audiences connected with the album's raw, unpolished sound and its themes of resistance and redemption, which served to establish Cash's reputation as a champion of the oppressed and a voice of the working class. One of the most well-known and significant live performances in the history of popular music is still the Folsom Prison concert.
Air Florida Flight 90 crashes into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. after taking off in a snowstorm, killing 78 people.
In the middle of a snowstorm, and shortly after takeoff from the adjacent Washington National Airport, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737 passenger plane, crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. on January 13, 1982. 78 individuals were killed in the collision, including four bridge-bound drivers. Later, a number of causes were identified as contributing to the crash, including the weather, the pilot's error, and mechanical problems with the aircraft. The incident had a significant impact on aviation safety in the US, resulting in revised guidelines and protocols for handling bad weather and other situations. It also served as a reminder of how crucial it is for pilots and other aviation professionals to receive thorough training and adhere to safety protocols.
Douglas Wilder becomes the first African American to be sworn in as governor of a U.S. state, as he takes office in Virginia.
The first African American to be chosen as governor of a state in the United States, Douglas Wilder took the oath of office on January 13, 1990. Prior to being elected governor of Virginia in November 1989, Wilder had previously held the position of lieutenant governor. African Americans in politics were considered as making significant strides following Wilder's historic victory, and it paved the way for other black politicians to run for higher office. Wilder fought to increase access to healthcare, enhance education, and advance economic development in Virginia while he was governor. Additionally, he advocated for greater inclusivity and diversity in state government and launched a variety of programs to advance racial and ethnic equality.