Today in History: July 13

Today is Saturday, July 13, the 195th day of 2024. Only 171 days remain in the year.

Highlight in History:

On this day in 1985, the “Live Aid” concerts rocked both London and Philadelphia, raising millions to fight famine in Ethiopia.

Other Notable Events:

• 1793: Jean-Paul Marat, a French politician, physician, and journalist, was assassinated by Charlotte Corday while in his bath.
• 1863: Rioting against the Civil War draft erupted in New York City, resulting in deadly violence that lasted for three days.
• 1923: The iconic “HOLLYWOODLAND” sign was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills to promote real estate development. The last four letters were removed in 1949.
• 1930: The first FIFA World Cup kicked off in Uruguay.
• 1960: John F. Kennedy secured the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot at the party’s convention in Los Angeles.
• 1973: Alexander P. Butterfield, a former presidential aide, disclosed to Senate Watergate Committee staff the existence of President Nixon’s secret White House taping system.
• 1999: Angel Maturino Resendiz, known as the “Railroad Killer,” surrendered in El Paso, Texas.
• 2013: George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, a case that sparked national debates on racial profiling, self-defense, and justice.
• 2018: A grand jury indictment, prompted by special counsel Robert Mueller, charged the Russian government with conspiring to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
• 2020: Under pressure from sponsors and decades of criticism, Washington’s NFL team dropped the “Redskins” name and logo. The team was later renamed the Commanders.

Birthdays:

• Johnny Gilbert (Game show announcer, “Jeopardy!”) is 96.
• Wole Soyinka (Author, Nobel laureate) is 90.
• Patrick Stewart (Actor) is 84.
• Harrison Ford (Actor) is 82.
• Roger McGuinn (Singer-guitarist, The Byrds) is 82.
• Erno Rubik (Rubik’s Cube inventor) is 80.
• Cheech Marin (Actor-comedian) is 78.
• Daphne Maxwell Reid (Actor) is 76.
• Tony Kornheiser (Sportswriter and talk show host) is 76.
• Didi Conn (Actor) is 73.
• Gil Birmingham (Actor) is 71.
• Louise Mandrell (Singer) is 70.
• Michael Spinks (Former boxing champion) is 68.
• Cameron Crowe (Actor-director) is 67.
• Tom Kenny (Comedian) is 62.
• Ken Jeong (Actor) is 55.
• Deborah Cox (Singer) is 50.
• Aya Cash (Actor) is 42.
• Yadier Molina (Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher) is 42.
• Colton Haynes (Actor) is 36.
• Steven R. McQueen (Actor) is 36.
• Leon Bridges (Soul singer) is 35.
• Hayley Erin (Actor, “General Hospital”) is 30.