On this day: March 13
March 13, 1781 – The Battle of Guilford Courthouse
On March 13, 1781, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse took place in Greensboro, North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War. British forces, led by General Charles Cornwallis, clashed with American troops commanded by General Nathanael Greene. Despite suffering heavy casualties, the Americans were able to force the British to retreat. Although the British technically won the battle, their losses were so great that they were unable to continue their campaign in the southern colonies. This battle is considered a turning point in the war and helped pave the way for American independence.
March 13, 1852 – Uncle Tom’s Cabin Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was published on March 13, 1852. The book, which depicted the harsh realities of slavery in the United States, became a bestseller and helped to galvanize the abolitionist movement. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was instrumental in shaping public opinion on slavery and is credited with helping to fuel the growing anti-slavery sentiment in the years leading up to the Civil War.
March 13, 1925 – The Scopes Monkey Trial Begins
The famous Scopes Monkey Trial began on March 13, 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee. The trial centered around the teaching of evolution in public schools, which was illegal in Tennessee at the time. High school teacher John Scopes was charged with violating the state’s anti-evolution law, and the trial became a national sensation. The trial pitted renowned lawyer Clarence Darrow against fundamentalist Christian leader William Jennings Bryan in a battle of science versus religion. Ultimately, Scopes was found guilty and fined $100, but the trial brought attention to the clash between modern science and traditional religious beliefs.
March 13, 1969 – Apollo 9 Returns to Earth
The Apollo 9 mission, which was the third crewed mission in NASA’s Apollo program, returned to Earth on March 13, 1969. The mission was a critical step in the United States’ goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade. During the mission, astronauts James McDivitt, David Scott, and Russell Schweickart tested the lunar module in Earth’s orbit and conducted a series of spacewalks. Apollo 9’s successful completion paved the way for the historic Apollo 11 moon landing later that year.
March 13, 1996 – Dunblane School Massacre
On March 13, 1996, a horrific tragedy occurred in Dunblane, Scotland when a gunman entered Dunblane Primary School and opened fire, killing 16 children and their teacher before taking his own life. The massacre shocked the world and led to widespread calls for tighter gun control laws in the United Kingdom. In the aftermath of the shooting, the UK implemented strict firearms legislation, including a ban on the private ownership of handguns. The Dunblane School Massacre remains one of the deadliest mass shootings in British history.
March 13, 2013 – Pope Francis Elected
On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Francis. He was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the position. Pope Francis has been praised for his humility, compassion, and focus on social justice issues. He has also made efforts to reform the Vatican and address the sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. Pope Francis is widely regarded as a popular and progressive leader within the Catholic community.
