Fact 1: Youngest Nobel Laureate in Literature
On November 13, 1953, Winston Churchill was named the Nobel Laureate in Literature. He was 78 at the time, and interestingly, he stands as the youngest ever recipient of the Literature prize.
Fact 2: Origins of Plunging Necklines
The bra that revolutionized fashion was granted a patent on November 13, 1948. Formulated by Maidenform, their design formfitted to bring cleavage, promoting plunging necklines.
Fact 3: Great Lakes Huron and Michigan Connect
In a notable environmental event, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal were opened on November 13, 1909, which reversed the flow of Chicago River and connected the Great Lakes Huron and Michigan.
Fact 4: The Infamous "Friday the 13th"
November 13 can occasionally be a Friday, feeding the superstition of 'Friday the 13th'. This day is synonymous with bad luck in Western culture and provides a fun tidbit that adds to the intrigue of the date.
Fact 5: The World's Largest Sculpture of Human Body Parts
The Body Worlds exhibit, the world's largest exhibition of real human bodies and body parts, was first opened to the public in Tokyo on November 13, 1995. Anatomist Gunther von Hagens used a process called plastination to preserve the bodies for the exhibit.
Fact 6: A Day for Kindness
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13. This global observance was created to celebrate and promote kindness in all its forms.
Fact 7: A Magic Launch
The original 'Fantasia', an animated film produced by Disney that blends animation and classical music, was released on November 13, 1940. It was one of the first films to be recorded in a multichannel sound format.
Fact 8: The Shopping Phenomenon: Black Friday
Interestingly, the term 'Black Friday' was coined on November 13, 1869, in relation to the financial crisis and not the shopping frenzy it represents today.
Fact 9: Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall
The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall, located in Washington D.C., esteemed for its reflective black granite surface, was dedicated on November 13, 1982.
Fact 10: The First Astronaut of Indian-Origin
On November 13, 1984, Dr Raja Chari became the first astronaut of Indian origin to be selected by NASA for a mission in space.
Fact 11: National Day in Monaco
November 13 is celebrated as National Day in Monaco. It is also referred to as Sovereign Prince's Day, with various public and private events held throughout the principality.
Fact 12: A Marvellous Palace
On November 13, 1922, King Tutankhamen's tomb was opened in the Valley of Kings near Luxor, Egypt. The young Pharaoh's nearly intact tomb was a historical revelation, full of marvellous artefacts.
Fact 13: A Cold November Day
The coldest November 13 recorded till date was in 1911 in Oklahoma City, with temperatures plummeting to a chilling -17 degrees Celsius.
Fact 14: Creation of the NBA
On November 13, 1946, professional basketball took a big step forward with the creation of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Fact 15: The Beginning of Clara 'Dolly' Barton’s Red Cross
Dolly Barton announced the establishment of the American Red Cross on November 13, 1880, an organization that became pivotal in disaster relief and humanitarian efforts globally.
Fact 16: First Human X-ray
On November 13, 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered the X-ray, a significant innovation that influenced the course of medical diagnosis and treatments.
Fact 17: The Broadway 'Cats'
One of the most successful musicals 'Cats' closed on Broadway on November 13, 2000, after nearly 18 years of performances.
Fact 18: The Bloodiest Battle of World War II
The Battle of Tarawa in World War II, one of the bloodiest battles commenced on November 13, 1943, in the Gilbert Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Fact 19: An Iconic Tower Fire
On November 13, 2010, a fire broke out in the broadcasting tower in Moscow, Russia, known as the Ostankino Tower. At 540 meters high, it remains the second-tallest free-standing structure in the world.
Fact 20: Earth's Artificial Ring
Finally, on November 13, 1974, the project 'West Ford Needle', was attempted to create an artificial ionosphere around Earth by launching 480 million small copper needles into space. However, the installation did not remain permanent and eventually fell back to Earth, marking the event as a fascinating yet obscure piece of space history.