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Historical events on December 13

DECEMBER 13, 1991
Croatian War of Independence: The Croatian Army retreated after the failure of Operation Whirlwind, destroying their tanks to avoid their capture.
The Croatian War of Independence was an armed conflict fought in Croatia from 1991 to 1995 between Croat forces loyal to the Read More
DECEMBER 13, 1981
Polish prime minister Wojciech Jaruzelski (pictured) declared martial law.
Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski was a Polish military general, politician and de facto leader of the Polish People's Republic from 1981 until 1989. Read More
DECEMBER 13, 1937
Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces, capturing the Chinese city of Nanjing, began committing numerous atrocities over the next several weeks, including looting, rape and the execution of prisoners of war and civilians.
The Second Sino-Japanese War was fought between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan between 1937 and 1945, following a Read More
DECEMBER 13, 1643
First English Civil War: Roundhead forces under Sir William Waller led a successful surprise attack in Hampshire on a winter garrison of Cavalier infantry and cavalry.
The First English Civil War took place in England and Wales from 1642 to 1646, and forms part of the 1639 to Read More
DECEMBER 13, 2013
Beyoncé (pictured) released her fifth studio album without any prior announcement or promotion; it sold 2.3 million copies before the end of the year.
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself Read More
DECEMBER 13, 1928
An American in Paris, a jazz-influenced orchestral piece by George Gershwin, premiered at Carnegie Hall in New York.
An American in Paris is a jazz-influenced symphonic poem for orchestra by American composer George Gershwin first performed in 1928. It was Read More
DECEMBER 13, 1989
The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army engaged in a fierce firefight with the King's Own Scottish Borderers at a vehicle checkpoint complex in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
The Troubles were an ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted for about 30 years from the late 1960s to 1998. Also Read More
DECEMBER 13, 1809
Napoleonic Wars: While transporting supplies to Guadeloupe, French commodore François Roquebert's expedition to the Caribbean captured the British frigate HMS Junon.
The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a global series of conflicts fought between the French First Republic (1803–1804)/First French Empire (1804–1815) under the Read More
DECEMBER 13, 2019
Jo Swinson (pictured) steps down as Leader of the Liberal Democrats after losing her seat in the 2019 general election making her tenure the shortest in the party's history.
Joanne Kate Swinson is a former British politician who was Leader of the Liberal Democrats from July to December 2019. Swinson was Read More
DECEMBER 13, 1960
With Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, out of the country, four conspirators staged a coup attempt to install Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen on the throne.
Haile Selassie I was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He rose to power as the Regent Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia under Read More
DECEMBER 13, 1862
American Civil War: Union forces under Ambrose Burnside suffered severe casualties against entrenched Confederate defenders at the Battle of Fredericksburg in Virginia.
The American Civil War was a civil war in the United States between the Union and the Confederacy, which was formed in Read More
DECEMBER 13, 2011
A man threw grenades and fired a rifle at crowds in Liège, Belgium, causing 6 deaths and injuring more than 120 others, before killing himself.
On 13 December 2011, a murder–suicide attack took place in the city of Liège in the Wallonia region of Belgium. (Image Credits)

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