September 13

Events

585 BC

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victories over the Sabines, and the surrender of Collatia.

Roman King Lucius Tarquinius Priscus celebrates a triumph over the Sabine people following the surrender of Collatia.
On the ides of September 585 BC, Rome’s fifth king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus staged a grand triumph procession. The ceremony celebrated his decisive victories against the Sabines, a neighboring Italic tribe. The conflict culminated in the surrender of the fortified town of Collatia to Roman forces. Tarquinius Priscus paraded spoils of war and captured standards through the streets of Rome. Citizens lined the route, offering sacrifices and cheering their king’s military prowess. Triumphs were rare honors, reserved for commanders whose victories expanded Rome’s influence. This event helped cement Tarquinius Priscus’s legacy as a foundational figure in early Roman history.
585 BC Lucius Tarquinius Priscus Rome triumph victories Sabines Collatia
509 BC

The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on Rome's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September.

The grand Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus is solemnly dedicated atop Rome’s Capitoline Hill.
On September 13, 509 BC, Rome celebrated the dedication of its most important temple. The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus stood as a symbol of Roman power and piety on the Capitoline Hill. Constructed under the final kings of Rome, it honored Jupiter, the supreme deity of the Roman pantheon. The dedication rituals included offerings, sacrifices, and elaborate ceremonies attended by magistrates and citizens alike. This temple became the focal point for state religious observances and triumphal returns. Its grandeur influenced Roman architecture and reinforced the bond between religion and governance. Though rebuilt multiple times, the original dedication set a benchmark for Roman monumental architecture.
509 BC Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Capitoline Hill ides
379day.year

Yax Nuun Ahiin I is crowned as 15th Ajaw of Tikal

Yax Nuun Ahiin I ascends as the 15th ruler (Ajaw) of the ancient Maya city of Tikal.
In the year 379, the young Yax Nuun Ahiin I was ceremonially crowned as the 15th Ajaw of Tikal. Tikal, located in present-day Guatemala, was one of the most powerful city-states of the Classic Maya period. His accession marked the beginning of a dynastic era that saw the city reach new heights of political and cultural influence. Monumental stelae and carvings commemorate this event, highlighting the sacred nature of Maya rulership. Under his reign, Tikal expanded its trade networks and fortified its defenses against rival polities. The coronation rituals emphasized divine lineage, linking the king to the gods and legitimizing his authority. Yax Nuun Ahiin I’s rule laid the groundwork for Tikal’s zenith in the 6th and 7th centuries.
379 Yax Nuun Ahiin I Ajaw Tikal
533day.year

Belisarius of the Byzantine Empire defeats Gelimer and the Vandals at the Battle of Ad Decimum, near Carthage, North Africa.

Byzantine General Belisarius defeats the Vandals led by King Gelimer at the Battle of Ad Decimum near Carthage.
On September 13, 533, Byzantine forces under General Belisarius clashed with the Vandal army at Ad Decimum. The battle took place just outside the gates of ancient Carthage in North Africa. Belisarius’s tactical skill outflanked the Vandals, forcing King Gelimer to retreat into the city. This decisive victory opened the path for the reconquest of Carthage and the revival of Roman control in Africa. The campaign marked a major achievement in Emperor Justinian I’s ambition to restore the former glory of the Roman Empire. Belisarius reused former Vandal ships to supply his troops, demonstrating logistical ingenuity. The triumph in Africa bolstered Belisarius’s reputation as one of history’s greatest military commanders.
533 Belisarius Byzantine Empire Gelimer Vandals Battle of Ad Decimum Carthage
1229day.year

Ögedei Khan is proclaimed Khagan of the Mongol Empire in Kodoe Aral, Khentii: Mongolia.

Ögedei Khan is proclaimed the Great Khan (Khagan) of the Mongol Empire at Kodoe Aral, Mongolia.
In 1229, following the death of Genghis Khan, his son Ögedei Khan was duly proclaimed Khagan of the vast Mongol Empire. The enthronement ceremony took place at Kodoe Aral in the Khentii Mountains of Mongolia. Ögedei’s elevation ensured continuity in the empire’s rapid expansion across Asia and into Eastern Europe. Under his leadership, the Mongols continued campaigns that secured their dominance over the Jin Dynasty and Khwarazmian Empire. The Great Khan’s court at Karakorum became a center of administration and cultural exchange. Ögedei implemented a system of postal roads (yam) that improved communication across the empire. His reign solidified the Mongol administrative framework and set the stage for further westward incursions.
1229 Ögedei Khan Khagan Mongol Empire Mongolia
1437day.year

Battle of Tangier: a Portuguese expeditionary force initiates a failed attempt to seize the Moroccan citadel of Tangier.

Portuguese forces launch a failed assault on the Moroccan citadel of Tangier during the Battle of Tangier.
On September 13, 1437, a Portuguese expedition led by Prince Henry the Navigator attempted to capture Tangier. Tangier, a strategic port in Morocco, was heavily fortified and defended by Marinid forces. The Portuguese siege faltered as supply lines were cut and reinforcements failed to arrive in time. Disease and attrition weakened the invading army, forcing a retreat. The defeat marked a setback in Portugal’s early efforts to establish footholds along the African coast. Captive nobles and a failed ransom deal added political embarrassment to the military loss. The campaign highlighted the logistical challenges of overseas conquests before the Age of Discovery.
1437 Battle of Tangier Portuguese Tangier
1609day.year

Henry Hudson reaches the river that would later be named after him – the Hudson River.

Explorer Henry Hudson reaches the vast North American river later named the Hudson River.
On September 13, 1609, English navigator Henry Hudson sailed into a wide river on present-day New York’s coast. Sailing under the Dutch East India Company, Hudson sought a Northwest Passage to Asia. He documented the river’s depth and potential for trade, noting its calm waters and fertile banks. Hudson’s exploration laid the foundation for Dutch colonization in the region. He anchored near what would become Manhattan, establishing the first European contact with local Lenape tribes. Although the passage to Asia proved illusory, the river became a vital artery for commerce. Hudson’s name would be immortalized on maps, shaping future settlements along its shores.
1609 Henry Hudson Hudson River
1645day.year

Wars of the Three Kingdoms: Scottish Royalists are defeated by Covenanters at the Battle of Philiphaugh.

Covenanter forces defeat Scottish Royalists at the decisive Battle of Philiphaugh during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
On September 13, 1645, Covenanter troops under Sir David Leslie engaged Royalist forces near Selkirk, Scotland. The battle of Philiphaugh ended a Royalist advance in southern Scotland during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Leslie’s disciplined infantry outmaneuvered the less experienced Royalist army. The defeat crippled King Charles I’s support north of the border and secured Covenanter control. Prisoners taken at Philiphaugh were later executed, sowing fear among Royalist sympathizers. The victory strengthened the Covenanters’ position in negotiations with the English Parliament. Battle accounts emphasize the tactical innovation and the harsh realities of 17th-century warfare.
1645 Wars of the Three Kingdoms Battle of Philiphaugh
1743day.year

Great Britain, Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia sign the Treaty of Worms.

Great Britain, Austria, and Sardinia sign the Treaty of Worms, forging a new alliance in the War of the Austrian Succession.
On September 13, 1743, the Treaty of Worms was signed by Great Britain, Austria, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The agreement aimed to coordinate efforts against French and Spanish forces during the War of the Austrian Succession. Sardinia secured British subsidies and Austrian military support to defend its Alpine territories. The alliance shifted the balance of power in northern Italy and strengthened Austria’s western flank. Britain, led by Prime Minister Henry Pelham, sought to contain Bourbon ambitions in Europe. The treaty outlined troop commitments and financial arrangements for joint military operations. Although the alliance achieved initial successes, ensuing campaigns would test its durability.
1743 Kingdom of Sardinia Treaty of Worms
1759day.year

Battle of the Plains of Abraham: the British defeat the French near Quebec City in the Seven Years' War, known in the United States as the French and Indian War.

British forces defeat the French at the pivotal Battle of the Plains of Abraham near Quebec City in 1759.
On September 13, 1759, British troops under General James Wolfe engaged French defenders commanded by the Marquis de Montcalm. The battle took place on a plateau overlooking the St. Lawrence River outside Quebec City. Wolfe’s daring nighttime ascent of the cliffs caught the French by surprise. Both Wolfe and Montcalm were mortally wounded during the fierce fighting. The British victory sealed the fate of New France and tipped the balance in the Seven Years’ War. Quebec’s capitulation opened the door for British dominance in North America. The clash became legendary, symbolizing the struggle for colonial empires in the 18th century.
1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham Quebec City Seven Years' War French and Indian War
1782day.year

American Revolutionary War: Franco-Spanish troops launch the unsuccessful "grand assault" during the Great Siege of Gibraltar.

Franco-Spanish forces launch a grand assault but fail during the Great Siege of Gibraltar in 1782.
In 1782, the Great Siege of Gibraltar saw Franco-Spanish troops attempt a large-scale attack on the British garrison. The assault, known as the "grand assault," involved innovative floating batteries alongside heavy artillery. Despite careful planning, the floating batteries were repelled by superior British firepower and fortified defenses. The failure of this major attack marked a turning point in the siege and boosted British morale. Reinforcements and improved defensive tactics helped the garrison hold out against further assaults. The siege continued until 1783, ultimately ending in a decisive British victory. The event highlights the evolving strategies of siege warfare in the late 18th century.
1782 American Revolutionary War Great Siege of Gibraltar
1788day.year

The Congress of the Confederation sets the date for the first presidential election in the United States, and New York City becomes the country's temporary capital.

The Congress of the Confederation sets the date for America’s first presidential election and names New York City as the temporary capital in 1788.
Under the Articles of Confederation, the Congress of the Confederation convened on September 13, 1788 to lay the groundwork for the new federal government. Delegates voted to fix February 1789 as the date for the first presidential election under the forthcoming Constitution. They also designated New York City as the temporary seat of government while a permanent capital was planned and built. This decision shaped the early political landscape of the United States and underscored the importance of a national capital. New York City served as the capital until Congress moved to Philadelphia in 1790. The framework established during this session helped launch the presidencies of George Washington and the new executive branch.
1788 Congress of the Confederation New York City