March 13: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On this day in 1781, the heavens expanded forever when William Herschel first spotted the planet Uranus.
Quick Facts for March 13
- Zodiac sign: Pisces
- Day of year: 72
About March 13
March 13 serves as a monumental date for astronomy and exploration. While William Herschel changed our understanding of the solar system in the 18th century, nearly 150 years later, the world received the earth-shattering news from the Lowell Observatory that Pluto had been found. These moments represent humanity's enduring drive to look upward and map the unknown reaches of space.
Beyond the stars, the day has been shaped by profound political and social transformations. From the shifting tides of the Napoleonic Wars to the massive civil rights implications of the U.S. Congress passing the Act Prohibiting the Return of Slaves, this date has consistently stood at the crossroads of historical change.
Holidays & Observances on March 13
- Christian feast days: Ansovinus
- Christian feast days: Christina of Persia
- Christian feast days: Gerald of Mayo
- Christian feast days: James Theodore Holly (Episcopal Church (USA))
- Christian feast days: Nicephorus
- Christian feast days: Roderick
- Kasuga Matsuri (Kasuga Grand Shrine, Nara, Japan)
- National Elephant Day (Thailand)
Fun & National Days on March 13
- Donald Duck Day — Celebrate with everyone's favorite temperamental duck!
- National Chicken Noodle Soup Day — Warm up your soul with a steaming bowl of this classic comfort food.
- National Ginger Ale Day — Pop open a refreshing, bubbly ginger ale to celebrate today.
- National Coconut Torte Day — Indulge in a sweet, tropical slice of coconut cake.
- Earmuff Day — Keep your ears cozy and stylish regardless of the weather.
- K-9 Veterans Day
- Ken Day
- National Dermatologist Day
- National Good Samaritan Day
- National Jewel Day
On This Day in History
- 222 — Roman Emperor Elagabalus was assassinated alongside his mother, leading to the reign of his young cousin, Severus Alexander.
- 624 — The first significant military confrontation between Muslim forces and the Quraysh occurred during the Battle of Badr.
- 1591 — Moroccan Saadi dynasty forces secured a major victory against the much larger Songhai Empire at the Battle of Tondibi.
- 1639 — Harvard College was officially established and named in honor of the clergyman John Harvard.
- 1697 — The final independent Maya kingdom fell to Spanish forces when the capital of Nojpetén was conquered.
- 1781 — Astronomer William Herschel made the groundbreaking discovery of the planet Uranus.
- 1815 — Following his escape from Elba, the Congress of Vienna officially declared Napoleon Bonaparte an outlaw.
- 1862 — The United States Congress passed legislation prohibiting the return of escaped slaves, paving the way for emancipation.
- 1930 — The discovery of the dwarf planet Pluto was officially announced to the public by the Lowell Observatory.
- 1954 — The Battle of Điện Biên Phủ commenced, eventually leading to French colonial withdrawal from Vietnam.
- 1969 — NASA's Apollo 9 mission successfully returned to Earth after conducting essential tests on the Lunar Module.
- 2013 — Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Catholic Church.
Famous Birthdays on March 13
- 1741 — Joseph II, The Holy Roman Emperor who ruled during the late 18th century.
- 1764 — Charles Grey, A prominent English politician who eventually served as the United Kingdom's Prime Minister.
- 1855 — Percival Lowell, An influential American mathematician and astronomer known for his work on Mars.
- 1898 — Henry Hathaway, A prolific and well-known American film director and producer.
- 1939 — Neil Sedaka, A famous American musician known for his songwriting and piano skills.
- 2004 — Coco Gauff, The talented American professional tennis player making waves on the world stage.