Major Events of July 1913: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from July 1913 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of July 1913: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Jul 1913 Gettysburg Reunion: A Historic Commemoration: On July 1st, 1913, a momentous reunion took place at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the pivotal Civil War battle. An extraordinary gathering of 53,407 surviving veterans attended, representing both Union and Confederate sides. This event symbolized national reconciliation and healing, as former adversaries came together to remember one of the most significant battles in American history.
- 02 Jul 1913 Crocker Land Expedition Sets Sail for Arctic Exploration: The ambitious Crocker Land Expedition departed from New York City aboard the ship *Diana*, embarking on a three-year scientific exploration mission targeting the North Polar region. This expedition represented a significant moment in early 20th-century geographical and scientific exploration, seeking to map and understand the largely unknown Arctic territories.
- 03 Jul 1913 Pickett's Charge 50th Anniversary Reunion: Confederate and Union veterans reunite at Gettysburg, symbolically reenacting Pickett's Charge. In a powerful moment of reconciliation, veterans from both sides extend hands of friendship, demonstrating national healing fifty years after the Civil War.
- 04 Jul 1913 Presidential Address to Civil War Veterans: President Woodrow Wilson delivered a historic speech at the Great Reunion of 1913, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the American Civil War and honoring the veterans who fought in the conflict.
- 05 Jul 1913 Racist Postal Service Segregation Policy: The United States Postal Service implemented a discriminatory policy of racial segregation, forcibly separating black and white postal clerks, reflecting the systemic racism prevalent in early 20th-century American institutions.
- 06 Jul 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: On July 6, 1913, no significant historical events were recorded. This appears to be a relatively quiet day during the early 20th century, with no major political, social, or cultural developments noted in available historical archives.
- 07 Jul 1913 Irish Home Rule Bill Passes House of Commons: The Irish Home Rule bill was passed on its third reading in the British House of Commons. This significant legislative moment marked a crucial step towards potential Irish self-governance, though the bill was subsequently rejected by the House of Lords on July 15, 1913.
- 08 Jul 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: On July 8, 1913, no significant historical events were documented. This appears to be a relatively quiet day in world history, with no major political, social, or cultural occurrences noted in available records.
- 09 Jul 1913 China-Russia Treaty on Mongolia: On July 9, 1913, China's National Assembly ratified a significant treaty with Russia, formally relinquishing its historical territorial claims on Mongolia. This diplomatic agreement marked a pivotal moment in the geopolitical relations between China, Russia, and Mongolia, effectively recognizing Mongolia's emerging independence from Chinese sovereignty.
- 10 Jul 1913 World's Highest Temperature Record: At Greenland Ranch (now Furnace Creek Ranch) in Death Valley, California, the world's official highest recorded temperature was documented on July 10, 1913, reaching an unprecedented 134°F (56.7°C). This extreme temperature measurement remains a significant global meteorological record.
- 11 Jul 1913 Black Country Industrial Strike of 1913: A significant industrial strike erupted in the Black Country region of England, involving approximately 25,000 workers. The strike occurred during a critical period leading up to World War I, potentially impacting industrial production and national preparedness. The labor dispute highlighted growing tensions between workers and industrial management in the early 20th century, reflecting broader socio-economic challenges of the pre-war era.
- 12 Jul 1913 Romania Declares War on Bulgaria: Romania officially declared war on Bulgaria, entering the Second Balkan War and further complicating the complex geopolitical landscape of southeastern Europe in 1913.
- 13 Jul 1913 Roger Casement Exposes Peruvian Amazon Company Atrocities: Irish diplomat Roger Casement's groundbreaking report on the systematic human rights abuses committed by the Peruvian Amazon Company against indigenous workers was officially published by the British House of Commons, drawing international attention to colonial exploitation.
- 14 Jul 1913 Nationwide Railroad Strike Averted Through White House Negotiations: A potential nationwide railroad strike was successfully prevented through high-level negotiations at the White House. President Woodrow Wilson personally mediated discussions between Congressional leaders, the Secretary of Labor, railroad executives, and union representatives, demonstrating the administration's commitment to labor peace and preventing economic disruption.
- 15 Jul 1913 Augustus Octavius Bacon Re-elected Under 17th Amendment: On July 15, 1913, Augustus Octavius Bacon was re-elected as a U.S. senator in the first election conducted under the newly ratified 17th Amendment, which established direct popular election of senators. This marked a significant shift in American democratic processes, moving away from state legislature appointments to direct voter selection.
- 16 Jul 1913 Death of Edward Burd Grubb Jr.: Edward Burd Grubb Jr., an American Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General, died on July 16, 1913. Born in 1841, Grubb was a military officer who served during the American Civil War and was recognized for his contributions to the Union Army, achieving the rank of Brevet Brigadier General.
- 17 Jul 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no major historical events were documented for July 17, 1913, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many days in history pass without dramatic global events, yet local or personal histories continue to unfold. The early 20th century was a period of significant transition, with technological advancements, social changes, and geopolitical tensions brewing beneath the surface.
- 18 Jul 1913 Notable Births of International Figures: Two significant individuals were born: N. Krishnaswami Reddy, an Indian lawyer, and Du Runsheng, a Chinese military officer, politician, and economist. Both would go on to play important roles in their respective countries' political and legal landscapes.
- 19 Jul 1913 Billboard Publishes First Best Sellers Chart: Billboard magazine published its earliest known "Last Week's 10 Best Sellers" chart, marking a significant milestone in music industry tracking and popular culture documentation. This inaugural chart would become a foundational tool for understanding music trends and commercial success in the United States.
- 20 Jul 1913 Ottoman Recapture of Adrianople during Balkan Wars: During the Second Balkan War, Ottoman Turkish forces successfully recaptured the strategically important city of Adrianople (modern-day Edirne) from Bulgarian control. This military action represented a significant territorial reversal for Bulgaria and demonstrated the Ottoman Empire's continued military capability during a period of regional conflict.
- 21 Jul 1913 House of Lords Rejects Welsh Disestablishment Bill: The House of Lords decisively rejected the Welsh Disestablishment Bill, voting 242-48 against giving the bill a second reading. This vote reflected the ongoing tensions between religious establishment and emerging secular political movements in early 20th-century Britain.
- 22 Jul 1913 Historic Aviation Distance Record: French aviator Marcel Brindejonc des Moulinais achieved a remarkable milestone in early aviation history by setting a new distance record, successfully flying 3,100 miles from Paris to Saint Petersburg. This feat demonstrated the rapidly advancing capabilities of aircraft technology during the pioneering era of flight.
- 23 Jul 1913 End of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show: The legendary Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show came to a definitive end through a bankruptcy auction, marking the conclusion of a significant era in American entertainment and mythmaking about the frontier.
- 24 Jul 1913 House of Lords Rejects Plural Voting Abolition Bill: In a significant political moment, the House of Lords voted against a proposed bill that would have eliminated plural voting, a practice where wealthy individuals could vote in multiple constituencies. The bill was rejected by a substantial margin of 166 votes against and only 42 in favor, highlighting the conservative resistance to electoral reform during the early 20th century.
- 25 Jul 1913 Max Carey's Unusual Baseball Performance: Pittsburgh Pirates player Max Carey achieved a remarkable feat by scoring five runs in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, despite not recording a single hit. This unusual performance highlights Carey's baserunning skills and ability to contribute to his team's scoring even without getting a hit.
- 26 Jul 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no significant historical events were recorded for July 26, 1913, this date represents a typical day during the early 20th century. The world was experiencing a period of relative peace between major global conflicts, with technological and social changes gradually transforming societies.
- 27 Jul 1913 Philippe Thys Wins Tour de France: Belgian cyclist Philippe Thys secured victory in the Tour de France, demonstrating exceptional endurance and cycling prowess during the challenging early 20th-century race.
- 28 Jul 1913 United States Triumphs in Davis Cup Tennis: The United States national tennis team secured a historic victory in the Davis Cup, defeating Great Britain with a narrow 3-2 margin. This win marked the country's first Davis Cup championship since 1902, signaling a resurgence of American tennis prowess on the international stage.
- 29 Jul 1913 Albania Gains Sovereignty: Albania becomes an independent sovereign state under Prince Wilhelm von Wied, marking a significant moment in the Balkan region's political transformation following the decline of the Ottoman Empire.
- 30 Jul 1913 10th Summer Olympics Opens in Los Angeles: The tenth Summer Olympic Games were officially inaugurated in Los Angeles, California. This marked the second time the city had hosted the prestigious international multi-sport event, showcasing the growing global significance of the Olympic movement in the early 20th century.
- 31 Jul 1913 Bucharest Armistice of 1913: The Balkan States signed a critical armistice in Bucharest, effectively concluding the Second Balkan War. This diplomatic agreement marked a significant moment of regional conflict resolution, establishing new territorial boundaries and power dynamics among Balkan nations.