Thomas Jefferson (born April 13, 1743, and died July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States of America. A key figure of the Enlightenment, he was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, irrevocably shaping the political and democratic foundations of the American nation.
Joseph Bramah (born April 13, 1748, and died December 9, 1814) was a notable English engineer and inventor. Considered one of the fathers of the machine tool, he devised the hydraulic press, indelibly transforming heavy industrial manufacturing processes.
Richard Trevithick (born April 13, 1771, and died April 22, 1833) was an English mechanical engineer. He innovated drastically by mastering the use of high-pressure steam, being the builder of the first successful steam railway locomotive in 1803.
Sir Robert Watson-Watt (born April 13, 1892, and died December 5, 1973) was a Scottish physicist. His work in the field of radio direction finding culminated in the development of radar, a vital technology that played a decisive role in the defense of Britain during World War II.
Alfred Mosher Butts (born April 13, 1899, and died April 4, 1993) was an American architect and inventor. Based on a statistical analysis of the English language, he devised the mechanics and design of the famous board game known worldwide as Scrabble.
Jacques Lacan (born April 13, 1901, and died September 9, 1981) was a controversial and highly influential French psychoanalyst. Recognized as an original interpreter of Sigmund Freud's work, he deeply marked psychiatry by introducing structural linguistics into psychological analysis.
Bruno Rossi (born April 13, 1905, and died November 21, 1993) was an Italian-American physicist. A pioneer in the study of cosmic radiation, his experimental research laid the foundations for high-energy astrophysics and X-ray astronomy.
Stanislaw M. Ulam (born April 13, 1909, and died May 13, 1984) was a Polish-American mathematician. He played a crucial role in the development of the hydrogen bomb and was the creator of the innovative "Monte Carlo Method" for solving statistical and mathematical problems.
Michael Stuart Brown (b. 1941) is an American molecular geneticist. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1985 for his fundamental research on cholesterol metabolism in the human body, detailing the function of cellular receptors.
Jerónimo de Sousa, Portuguese politician. He was general secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) for almost two decades, between 2004 and 2022. A metallurgical worker by origin, he became a historic figure in Portuguese politics, having been a deputy in the Assembly of the Republic for several terms. Known for his direct style and defense of workers' rights.
⌖ United Kingdom
Christopher Hitchens, British-American writer, journalist and critic.
Max Weinberg (b. 1951) is a tireless American drummer. The rhythmic pillar of the E Street Band is famous for his precision, strength, and ability to drive marathon pure rock and roll shows without missing a single beat.
Hillel Slovak (born April 13, 1962, and died June 25, 1988) was a talented Israeli-American guitarist and founding member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His innovative playing style, heavily rooted in funk and punk, defined the band's early sound and raw energy before his tragic and untimely passing.
A former activist associated with the extra-parliamentary radical left, Pelle Dragsted donned the strategist's suit and became the figurehead of the Red-Green Alliance. He reformatted the party's discourse, replacing the old anti-capitalist rhetoric with proposals focused on cooperative economic democracy and a strong Scandinavian welfare state.
Known for his directness, Pedro Nuno Santos is the unifying figure of the left wing of the Socialist Party. Being the "architect" of the famous "Geringonça" coalition in 2015, he took on strong ministerial portfolios — from infrastructure to railways — before becoming Secretary-General of the PS and leader of the opposition.
The word "microscope" is officially coined by Johannes Faber of Bamberg, in a letter addressed to Duke Federico Cesi. The new term was suggested to christen the innovative optical observation instrument used by the members of the Accademia dei Lincei in Italy.
The first elephant to set foot on American soil arrives at the port of New York aboard the merchant ship America. Acquired in India by Captain Jacob Crowninshield, the Asian female caused enormous popular fascination and boosted zoological exhibition in the country.
Benjamin F. Lodge and Ezekial T. Cox register the first patent in the United States for a stone crushing machine. The invention considerably accelerated the rudimentary civil construction and paving methods of the time.
The majestic D. Maria II National Theatre is inaugurated in Lisbon, coinciding with the celebrations of the Queen's 27th birthday. The illustrious writer Almeida Garrett was the great mentor and driving force behind this cultural project that redefined the performing arts in Portugal.
Inventor George Westinghouse registers the first patent for his revolutionary air brake for railways. The innovation allowed a substantial increase in railway safety, enabling the development of larger and much faster trains.
The first documented commercial sale of hybrid seed corn in the United States takes place, purchased by farmer Samuel Ramsay in the state of Ohio. This agricultural innovation revolutionized crop yields and resilience globally.
In the midst of World War II, the government led by António de Oliveira Salazar promulgates the Nationalization of Capital Law. The strategic objective of the diploma was to protect vital sectors of the Portuguese economy from interference or control by foreign capital.
The United States successfully launches Transit-1B, the world's first navigation satellite. Designed primarily to accurately locate Navy ballistic submarines, it established itself as the direct predecessor to the modern GPS navigation system.
The seventh manned mission of the Apollo program suffers a critical accident when an oxygen tank explodes in space, making the lunar landing impossible. The extraordinary resilience and ingenuity of the NASA team resulted in a spectacular rescue, ensuring the safe return of the astronauts to Earth.
More than a thousand people demonstrate in Vila Nova de Foz Côa against the construction of a dam, demanding the preservation of the newly discovered rock art complex. The strong public pressure would culminate in the historic suspension of the work and the classification of the Côa Valley as a National Monument.
⌖ Beja, Portugal
Today we celebrate the inauguration of Beja Airport, in Alentejo, on April 13, 2011. IATA Code: BYJ.
Memory of Pope Saint Martin I, the last pontiff to suffer martyrdom (exile), known for his firmness against the imperial impositions of Byzantium.
World Kiss Day celebrates affection and human bonds, recalling the importance of this simple and universal gesture of love in promoting emotional connection and well-being.