February 13 - This day in History

February 13: General Interest
1633: Galileo in Rome for Inquisition

On this day in 1633, Italian philosopher, astronomer and mathematician Galileo Galilei arrives in Rome to face charges of heresy for advocating Copernican theory, which holds that the Earth revolves around the Sun... read more


American Revolution
1776 : Patrick Henry named colonel of First Virginia battalion
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patrick-henry-named-colonel-of-first-virginia-battalion


Automotive
2008 : Actor Mel Gibson completes DUI probation
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/actor-mel-gibson-completes-dui-probation


Civil War
1831 : Union General John Rawlins born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-rawlins-born


Cold War
1984 : Chernenko becomes general secretary
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/chernenko-becomes-general-secretary


Crime
1982 : Serial killer strikes in Colorado
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/serial-killer-strikes-in-colorado


Disaster
1983 : Cinema burns in Turin
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cinema-burns-in-turin


General Interest
1689 : William and Mary proclaimed joint sovereigns of Britain
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/william-and-mary-proclaimed-joint-sovereigns-of-britain

1861 : First Medal of Honor action
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-medal-of-honor-action

1945 : Dresden devastated
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dresden-devastated


Hollywood
2001 : Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon gets 10 Oscar nominations
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-gets-10-oscar-nominations


Literary
1991 : Long-lost Twain manuscript authenticated
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/long-lost-twain-manuscript-authenticated


Music
1915 : ASCAP is founded
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ascap-is-founded


Old West
1822 : Ashley advertises for western fur trappers
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ashley-advertises-for-western-fur-trappers


Presidential
1905 : Teddy Roosevelt discusses America's race problem
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/teddy-roosevelt-discusses-americas-race-problem


Sports
1998 : Downhill skier Hermann Maier crashes in Olympics
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/downhill-skier-hermann-maier-crashes-in-olympics


Vietnam War
1965 : Johnson approves Operation Rolling Thunder
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/johnson-approves-operation-rolling-thunder

1968 : Additional troops ordered to South Vietnam
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/additional-troops-ordered-to-south-vietnam


World War I
1920 : League of Nations recognizes perpetual Swiss neutrality
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/league-of-nations-recognizes-perpetual-swiss-neutrality


World War II
1945 : Firebombing of Dresden
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/firebombing-of-dresden