1249day.year
Coronation of Alexander III as King of Scots.
In 1249, Alexander III ascended to the Scottish throne with his coronation as King of Scots.
Alexander III, the posthumous son of Alexander II, was crowned King of Scots on July 13, 1249.
Though still a child, he swore to uphold the laws and traditions of Scotland.
A council of regents governed in his name until he reached maturity.
His eventual personal rule brought a period of peace and expansion, strengthening Scotland’s position in the British Isles.
Alexander’s reign laid the foundations for one of the most stable eras in medieval Scottish history.
1249
Coronation
Alexander III
King of Scots
1787day.year
The Congress of the Confederation enacts the Northwest Ordinance establishing governing rules for the Northwest Territory. It also establishes procedures for the admission of new states and limits the expansion of slavery.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established rules for governance and statehood in America’s Northwest Territory.
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress sought to manage western lands fairly.
On July 13, 1787, the Northwest Ordinance laid out a blueprint for territorial governance, civil liberties, and public education.
It established a three-stage path to statehood based on population thresholds.
The ordinance also banned slavery in the territory north of the Ohio River.
Its principles guided American expansion and influenced later western territories.
1787
Congress of the Confederation
Northwest Ordinance
Northwest Territory
slavery
1814day.year
The Carabinieri, the national gendarmerie of Italy, is established.
The Carabinieri, Italy's national gendarmerie, was established in July 1814 to maintain public order and security across the newly restored Italian states.
Founded by King Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia, the Carabinieri combined military discipline with policing powers. They were tasked with combating banditry and protecting civilian populations. Over time, they evolved into one of the oldest national police forces in the world. The force played a central role in Italian unification and in maintaining stability during turbulent periods. Today, the Carabinieri serve both military and civilian law enforcement functions. Their foundation on this day laid the groundwork for modern Italian security services.
1814
Carabinieri
gendarmerie
1831day.year
Regulamentul Organic, a quasi-constitutional organic law is adopted in Wallachia, one of the two Danubian Principalities that were to become the basis of Romania.
Regulamentul Organic, the first modern constitutional framework in Wallachia, was adopted in July 1831 under Russian protectorate.
This organic law established administrative institutions and legal codes across Wallachia, one of Romania’s principalities. It introduced a structured bureaucracy and outlined the powers of the prince, the assembly, and regional governors. The document served as a precursor to broader legal reforms in the Danubian Principalities. It aimed to stabilize governance and modernize state functions following the Greek War of Independence. The framework also influenced later unification efforts leading to the formation of modern Romania. Regulamentul Organic remains a landmark in Eastern European constitutional history.
1831
Regulamentul Organic
organic law
Wallachia
Danubian Principalities
Romania
1878day.year
Treaty of Berlin: The European powers redraw the map of the Balkans. Serbia, Montenegro and Romania become completely independent of the Ottoman Empire.
The Treaty of Berlin was signed in July 1878, redefining Balkan borders and granting independence to Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania.
Held at Bismarck’s invitation, the Congress of Berlin aimed to revise the earlier Treaty of San Stefano. Major European powers negotiated spheres of influence and territorial adjustments in the Balkans. Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania secured full sovereignty, while Bulgaria’s territory was significantly reduced. The Ottoman Empire retained control over parts of the region under international supervision. These decisions reshaped Southeast Europe and sowed seeds for future conflicts. The treaty had lasting impact on national identities and diplomatic relations in the region.
1878
Treaty of Berlin
Serbia
Montenegro
Romania
Ottoman Empire
1962day.year
In an unprecedented action, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan dismisses seven members of his Cabinet, marking the effective end of the National Liberals as a distinct force within British politics.
British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan sacks seven Cabinet ministers in a dramatic reshuffle that reshapes his government.
On July 13, 1962, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan dismissed seven ministers in what became known as the Night of the Long Knives of British politics. The drastic move aimed to revitalize the Conservative government amid economic challenges and declining public confidence. Targeted Cabinet members included key figures from the National Liberal faction, effectively dissolving their independent influence. While Macmillan intended to present a refreshed team, the shake-up surprised both colleagues and the electorate, sparking debates about leadership style and political accountability. The event underscored the precarious balance between party unity and personal authority within the UK’s parliamentary system.
1962
Harold Macmillan
dismisses seven members of his Cabinet
National Liberals
1973day.year
Watergate scandal: Alexander Butterfield reveals the existence of a secret Oval Office taping system to investigators for the Senate Watergate Committee.
Alexander Butterfield discloses President Nixon’s secret Oval Office recording system during the Senate Watergate hearings.
On this day, Deputy Assistant to President Nixon, Alexander Butterfield, testified before the Senate Watergate Committee and revealed the existence of an automatic recording system in the Oval Office. This revelation provided prosecutors with a means to obtain firsthand evidence of conversations and decisions within the Nixon administration. Butterfield’s disclosure intensified the legal and political pressure on the President, sparking a protracted battle over executive privilege and access to the tapes. The subsequent fight for these recordings led to the Supreme Court’s landmark United States v. Nixon decision. Ultimately, the tapes became crucial in uncovering wrongdoing and precipitated Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
1973
Watergate scandal
Alexander Butterfield
Oval Office taping system
Senate Watergate Committee
1985day.year
Vice President George H. W. Bush becomes the Acting President for the day when President Ronald Reagan undergoes surgery to remove polyps from his colon.
Vice President George H. W. Bush assumes presidential powers for one day as Ronald Reagan undergoes colon surgery.
On July 13, 1985, President Ronald Reagan underwent a routine colonoscopy at Bethesda Naval Hospital, revealing benign polyps for removal. Under the Twenty-fifth Amendment, Vice President George H. W. Bush was formally designated Acting President for several hours during the procedure. This marked the first instance of a vice president exercising temporary presidential authority under the amendment. The smooth transfer of power demonstrated the amendment’s role in ensuring governmental continuity. Reagan resumed his duties later that day, and Bush's brief stewardship passed without incident, setting a precedent for future uses of the amendment.
Vice President
George H. W. Bush
Acting President for the day
Ronald Reagan
polyps
colon
2003day.year
French DGSE personnel abort an operation to rescue Íngrid Betancourt from FARC rebels in Colombia, causing a political scandal when details are leaked to the press.
A covert French intelligence mission to free hostages from FARC in Colombia is aborted, sparking a political scandal when details leak.
On July 13, 2003, agents of France’s external intelligence service, the DGSE, terminated a secret operation to rescue politician Ingrid Betancourt from FARC rebels in Colombia.
The mission’s failure remained classified until details were disclosed by the press.
Revelations of the abandoned rescue sparked a diplomatic uproar between France and Colombia.
Critics questioned the operation’s planning, secrecy, and the French government’s oversight of its intelligence agencies.
The scandal heightened public scrutiny of clandestine operations and influenced subsequent policies on hostage negotiations.
2003
DGSE
an operation
Íngrid Betancourt
FARC
Colombia
2011day.year
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1999 is adopted, which admits South Sudan to member status of United Nations.
The United Nations formally admits South Sudan as its 193rd member state following the country’s independence.
On July 13, 2011, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1999, recommending South Sudan’s admission to the United Nations.
South Sudan had declared independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after a decades-long civil war and a 2011 referendum.
The Security Council’s endorsement paved the way for General Assembly approval and full UN membership.
South Sudan’s entry symbolized hopes for peace and development in the world’s newest nation.
The international community pledged assistance for nation-building and humanitarian needs in the fledgling state.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1999
South Sudan
2016day.year
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron resigns, and is succeeded by Theresa May.
David Cameron announces his resignation as UK Prime Minister following the Brexit referendum, paving the way for Theresa May.
On July 13, 2016, David Cameron formally stepped down as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
His resignation followed the June 23 Brexit referendum in which the UK voted to leave the European Union.
Theresa May, then Home Secretary, was chosen as the Conservative Party leader and next Prime Minister.
Cameron’s departure marked a significant shift in British politics and leadership.
May’s succession began a new chapter in negotiations for the UK’s EU exit and domestic policy debates.
2016
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
David Cameron
Theresa May
2024day.year
Former president of the United States Donald Trump is injured in an assassination attempt while speaking at an election campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania.
On July 13, 2024, a lone gunman opened fire at an election campaign rally attended by former President Donald Trump near Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump sustained a shoulder injury and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition. Security forces quickly subdued and arrested the suspect at the scene. The attack reignited debates over political violence and campaign security measures across the country. Supporters and opponents alike expressed shock and concern, leading to an unprecedented surge in attendance at subsequent rallies. The incident underscored the heightened tensions and risks surrounding modern electoral politics.
2024
president of the United States
Donald Trump
an assassination attempt
Butler, Pennsylvania