December 13: What Happened on This Day in History
December 13th marks the 347th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 348th in case of leap years). There are 18 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 13th in history, famous birthdays on December 13th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 13.
What happened on December 13?
Here's what happened on December 13th in history:
- 2021: The United States coronavirus-related death toll reached 800,000, marking a devastating milestone in the pandemic. Public health officials warned of potential new case surges during winter, with increased indoor gatherings and the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant raising significant health concerns.
- 2008: Horst Tappert, a renowned German actor known for his roles in television and film, passed away at the age of 85. He was particularly famous for his portrayal of Detective Derrick in the long-running German crime series.
- 2002: Zal Yanofsky, American guitarist and singer of the iconic 1960s rock band The Lovin' Spoonful, passed away at age 57. Known for hit songs like 'Do You Believe in Magic?', Yanofsky was a significant figure in the folk-rock music scene.
- 2000: The U.S. Supreme Court halts the Florida presidential recount, effectively deciding the outcome of the 2000 presidential election in favor of George W. Bush, determining the next President of the United States.
- 1995: Actor Christopher Reeve is released from physical rehabilitation center following his devastating horseback riding accident, marking a significant moment in his journey of recovery and advocacy for spinal cord injury research.
- 1994: An American Eagle commuter plane crashed in North Carolina, resulting in the tragic loss of 15 lives. The incident highlighted significant aviation safety concerns of the era.
- 1990: South African President F. W. de Klerk met with Nelson Mandela in a pivotal discussion aimed at dismantling apartheid. This meeting represented a critical moment in South Africa's journey towards racial reconciliation and democratic transformation.
- 1985: Three prominent Australian cricketers - Merv Hughes, Geoff Marsh, and Bruce Reid - made their Test match debut against India on December 13, 1985. This marked the beginning of significant careers for these players who would go on to become key figures in Australian cricket during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- 1981: Amy Lee, American musician, singer, and songwriter of the rock band Evanescence, is born.
- 1977: On December 13, 1977, a tragic aviation disaster occurred when a United States government DC-3 aircraft crashed near Evansville Regional Airport, resulting in the complete loss of the University of Evansville basketball team. The crash killed all 29 people on board, including players, support staff, and team boosters, marking one of the most devastating moments in collegiate sports history.
What famous birthdays are on December 13?
On December 13th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Taylor Swift]()
Taylor Swift (1989)Grammy-winning pop superstar who revolutionized modern music by transitioning from country to global pop phenomenon.
![Christopher Plummer]()
Christopher Plummer (1929)Christopher Plummer was an acclaimed Canadian actor with a remarkable career spanning stage and screen, best known for his iconic role as...
![Jamie Foxx]()
Jamie Foxx (1967)Academy Award-winning actor, comedian, and singer known for his versatile performances in 'Ray' and 'Django Unchained', and his significant...
![Dick Van Dyke]()
Dick Van Dyke (1925)Legendary American actor, comedian, and entertainer known for his iconic roles in classic films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang...
![Steve Buscemi]()
Steve Buscemi (1957)Iconic character actor renowned for his distinctive appearance and memorable roles in Coen Brothers and Quentin Tarantino films, including...
![Robert Prosky]()
Robert Prosky (1930)Renowned American character actor known for his extensive stage, film, and television work, particularly memorable in roles in 'Hill Street...
![Laurence Leboeuf]()
Laurence Leboeuf (1985)Canadian actress known for her roles in television series and films, particularly in Quebec's entertainment industry.
![Rex Ryan]()
Rex Ryan (1962)Prominent American football coach known for his tenure with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, recognized for his bold personality and...
![John Davidson]()
John Davidson (1941)Versatile American entertainer known for hosting variety shows, TV programs like 'Kraft Music Hall', and acting in films such as 'The...
![Herman Cain]()
Herman Cain (1945)Prominent American businessman and political figure who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 and was a notable...
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 13?
On December 13th the following celebrities died:
![Smita Patil]()
Smita Patil (1986)Iconic Indian actress who significantly contributed to parallel cinema and was known for her powerful, socially conscious performances in...
![Lupe Velez]()
Lupe Velez (1944)Mexican-American actress known for her fiery personality and prominent roles in Hollywood during the Golden Age of cinema, particularly in...
- Samuel Johnson (1784)
English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, and...
- Richard Holbrooke (2010)
Richard Holbrooke was a prominent American diplomat who played a crucial role in negotiating the Dayton Peace Accords that ended the Bosnian...
- Nichita Stănescu (1983)
Renowned Romanian poet and literary critic, considered one of the most important Romanian poets of the 20th century, known for his...
- Irma Grese (1945)
Notorious Nazi SS guard known for her brutal cruelty at concentration camps Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen during World War II.
- Enrique Morente (2010)
Renowned Spanish flamenco singer and composer who significantly influenced modern flamenco music.
- Alice Marble (1990)
Legendary American tennis champion who dominated women's tennis in the late 1930s, winning multiple Grand Slam titles and breaking barriers...
- Alan Thicke (2016)
Canadian-American television personality known for his iconic role as Jason Seaver on the popular family sitcom 'Growing Pains'.
What day of the year is December 13?
December 13th marks the 347th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 348th in case of leap years).
There are 18 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 13th is the 13th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 13?
On December 13th, 2025 the day of the week is Saturday.
| December | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 13?
The zodiac sign associated with December 13th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
