This Day In History, May 13th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on May 13th.
Pope Boniface IV consecrates Rome's Pantheon as a Christian church, which is still in use today.
1607 - The first permanent English settlement in North America, Jamestown, Virginia, is founded by English immigrants.
The Mexican-American War begins in 1846, when the United States declares war on Mexico.
1917 - Three shepherd children claim to have had a vision of the Virgin Mary at Fátima, Portugal, which becomes a major Catholic pilgrimage site.
1981 - Mehmet Ali Aca attempts to kill Pope John Paul II in Vatican City's St. Peter's Square.
609 - Pope Boniface IV consecrates the Pantheon in Rome as a Christian church, which is still in use today.
Pope Boniface IV transformed the Pantheon, which was initially erected in 27 BC as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome, into a Christian church in the 7th century. He consecrated the church to St. Mary and the Martyrs, and it has since served as a church. Today, the Pantheon is one of Rome's most renowned tourist sites, famous for its enormous dome, which is one of the world's biggest unsupported domes.
1607 - English settlers arrive at Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America.
A party of English immigrants landed in Jamestown, Virginia, on May 13, 1607, which is today regarded the first permanent English settlement in North America. The Virginia Company of London, a group of investors hoping to benefit from the New World's natural riches, founded the town. The immigrants encountered several hardships in their new home, including sickness, starvation, and wars with Native American groups, but they eventually established a lasting footing in the region. Jamestown is now a prominent historical monument and tourist destination, and it is acknowledged as an essential part of American history.
1846 - The United States declares war on Mexico, beginning the Mexican-American War.
The Mexican-American War began on May 13, 1846, when the United States Congress declared war on Mexico. The conflict was fought for a variety of causes, including the Texas-Mexico border, American expansionism, and Mexico's unwillingness to give California to the US. The war lasted two years and ended with a US triumph, culminating in the annexation of most of Mexico's territory by the US. The conflict had far-reaching social and political consequences, notably the escalation of hostilities between the North and South over the subject of slavery.
1917 - Three shepherd children report seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary in Fátima, Portugal, which becomes an important Catholic pilgrimage site.
On May 13, 1917, Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto, three shepherd children, claimed experiencing a vision of the Virgin Mary in the Cova da Iria fields near Fátima, Portugal. The youngsters said that the Virgin Mary appeared to them several more times in the months that followed, bringing messages of peace, repentance, and prayer. The apparitions brought a significant number of visitors to Fátima, and the location where the children saw the Virgin Mary is today a major Catholic pilgrimage site known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima. Many believe the happenings at Fátima to be among the most significant Marian apparitions in history.
1981 - Mehmet Ali Ağca attempts to assassinate Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
On May 13, 1981, Mehmet Ali Ağca, a Turkish gunman, attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Ağca fired several shots at the pope, seriously injuring him and wounding several others in the crowd. The pope was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery, but he survived the attack. Ağca was later apprehended and sentenced to life in prison for the assassination attempt. The attack was widely condemned around the world and drew attention to the issue of papal security. Pope John Paul II went on to make a full recovery and continued to serve as pope until his death in 2005.