more events on May 13
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1981
Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt.
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1968
Peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam begin in Paris.
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1958
French troops take control of Algiers.
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1944
Allied forces in Italy break through the German Gustav Line into the Liri Valley.
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1940
Bruce Chatwin, travel writer (Patagonia).
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1922
Jersey City, N.J. teenager Charles “Buster” Rech beat the Washington, D.C., titlist in a “Fat” match and was crowned the “marbles champion of the world.” This launched a rage of marble tournaments and inter-city challenges, leading to the 1923 creation of the National Marbles Tournament, the country’s first (and still running) nationwide game contest for kids.
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1914
Joe Louis, world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949.
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1913
Igor Sikorsky flies the first four-engine aircraft.
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1912
Gil Evans, jazz pianist and composer.
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The Royal Flying Corps is established in England.
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1907
Daphne du Maurier, author (Rebecca).
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1888
Slavery is abolished in Brazil.
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1864
The Battle of Resaca commences as Union General William T. Sherman fights towards Atlanta.
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1861
Britain declares its neutrality in the American Civil War.
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1857
Ronald Ross, bacteriologist.
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1846
The United States declares war on Mexico after fighting has already begun.
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1842
Sir Arthur Sullivan, composer, collaborator with W.S. Gilbert.
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1779
The War of Bavarian Succession ends.
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1729
Henry William Stiegel, early American glassmaker.
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1648
Margaret Jones of Plymouth is found guilty of witchcraft and is sentenced to be hanged.
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1607
English colonists land near the James River in Virginia.