Major Events of October 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 October 1913 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of October 1913: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Oct 1913 Pancho Villa Captures Torreón During Mexican Revolution: During the Mexican Revolution, revolutionary leader Pancho Villa and his troops successfully captured the strategic city of Torreón after an intense three-day battle. The victory came after government troops under President Victoriano Huerta's command were forced to retreat, marking a significant moment in Villa's military campaign against the federal forces.
02 Oct 1913 China Establishes Presidential Term Limits: On October 2, 1913, China's National Assembly passed a groundbreaking law establishing presidential term limits. The legislation restricted the President of China to a single five-year term, with the possibility of one re-election. This early constitutional provision represented a significant step in China's evolving democratic governance during the early Republican period.
03 Oct 1913 Federal Income Tax Established in the United States: The United States officially implemented its first federal income tax through the Revenue Act of 1913, setting an initial tax rate of 1%. This landmark legislation marked a significant shift in the nation's fiscal policy, enabling the federal government to generate direct revenue from citizens' earnings.
04 Oct 1913 Emiliano Zapata Issues Humanitarian Order to Rebel Troops: Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata demonstrated moral leadership by issuing a comprehensive order to his troops, strictly prohibiting crimes against civilians and their property. The order specified that any soldiers committing such offenses would be punished, and officers who failed to enforce the directive would face court-martial.
05 Oct 1913 Serial Killer Henry Spencer Arrested: Henry Spencer was arrested by Chicago police for the murder of Mildred Rexroat. During interrogation, Spencer not only confessed to her murder but also claimed responsibility for 13 additional killings over the years, revealing himself as a prolific serial killer.
06 Oct 1913 Rebels Evacuate Piedras Negras Military Barracks: On October 6, 1913, the final group of rebels withdrew from the military barracks in Piedras Negras, effectively concluding their occupation of the strategic location. This event signaled the end of a localized insurgent presence and marked a significant moment in the regional military and political landscape.
07 Oct 1913 Ford Motor Company Introduces Moving Vehicle Assembly Line: The Ford Motor Company revolutionized industrial manufacturing by introducing the first moving vehicle assembly line at its Highland Park Plant in Michigan. This innovative approach dramatically reduced production time and costs, making automobiles more affordable and accessible to the general public. The moving assembly line became a pivotal moment in industrial history, transforming manufacturing processes worldwide.
08 Oct 1913 University of South Wales Established: The University of South Wales was founded as the South Wales and Monmouthshire School of Mines in Treforest, United Kingdom. The institution began with a modest inaugural class of 17 students, marking the beginning of a significant educational institution in the region.
09 Oct 1913 SS Volturno Maritime Disaster: On October 9, 1913, the steamship SS Volturno caught fire in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, resulting in a catastrophic maritime tragedy. The fire quickly spread through the vessel, causing significant loss of life and becoming one of the notable maritime disasters of the early 20th century. A total of 136 passengers and crew perished in the incident, highlighting the significant maritime safety challenges of the era.
10 Oct 1913 Panama Canal Construction Milestone: Gamboa Dike Explosion: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson officially triggered the explosion of the Gamboa Dike, a pivotal moment in the Panama Canal's construction that symbolically and physically connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This engineering marvel represented a monumental achievement in global maritime infrastructure, dramatically reducing shipping transit times between the two oceans.
11 Oct 1913 Panama Canal Construction Milestone: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson triggered the explosion of the Gamboa Dike, symbolically marking the completion of the monumental Panama Canal construction project. This event represented a significant engineering achievement and a pivotal moment in American infrastructure and international trade capabilities.
12 Oct 1913 Death of Elisabeth Leisinger, German Soprano: Elisabeth Leisinger, a notable German soprano, passed away on October 12, 1913. While specific details about her musical career are limited, her death marks the end of a life dedicated to classical vocal performance during the early 20th century.
13 Oct 1913 Universal Coal Mine Disaster in South Wales: On October 13, 1913, a catastrophic explosion and fire erupted in the Universal Coal Mine located in South Wales, causing significant loss of life and highlighting the dangerous working conditions in early 20th-century coal mining operations. The incident underscored the critical need for improved safety standards and worker protections in the mining industry.
14 Oct 1913 Senghenydd Colliery Disaster: On October 14, 1913, a catastrophic explosion occurred at the Universal Colliery in Senghenydd, South Wales, resulting in the deaths of 439 miners. This tragic event is considered the worst mining disaster in United Kingdom history, highlighting the dangerous working conditions in coal mines during the early 20th century. The explosion exposed significant safety shortcomings in the mining industry and became a pivotal moment in discussions about worker protection and industrial safety regulations.
15 Oct 1913 Filipino Representation in Philippine Commission: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson appointed four native Filipinos to the Philippine Commission, a significant step towards local representation and self-governance during the American colonial period. This move signaled a progressive approach to colonial administration and provided Filipinos with a meaningful role in their own governance.
16 Oct 1913 HMS Queen Elizabeth Launched as First Oil-Fired Battleship: The British Royal Navy makes a significant technological leap by launching the HMS Queen Elizabeth at Portsmouth Dockyard. This groundbreaking battleship represents a pivotal moment in naval engineering, transitioning from coal to oil-fired propulsion, which would dramatically improve naval vessel efficiency, range, and strategic capabilities.
17 Oct 1913 Deadliest Air Crash of 1913: On October 17, 1913, a significant aviation tragedy occurred, marking the deadliest air crash recorded up to that point in history. The incident resulted in the loss of 28 lives, highlighting the inherent risks and technological limitations of early aviation. This event underscored the dangerous nature of early aircraft design and the nascent state of aviation safety standards.
18 Oct 1913 Birth of Robert Gilruth, Space Pioneer: Robert Gilruth was born, a significant American aviation and space pioneer who would later play a crucial role in NASA's early space exploration programs. He was instrumental in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space missions, ultimately becoming the first director of the Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center).
19 Oct 1913 Founding of the German Life-Saving Society (DLRG): On October 19, 1913, the Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG), or German Life-Saving Society, was established. This organization was created to promote water safety, provide lifesaving training, and reduce drowning incidents across Germany. The DLRG would go on to become one of the largest water rescue organizations in the world, training thousands of volunteers in lifesaving techniques and water rescue operations.
20 Oct 1913 Birth of Jean Dujardin: On October 20, 1913, Jean Dujardin was born in France. He would later become a renowned actor, gaining international recognition, particularly after winning an Academy Award for his leading role in the silent film 'The Artist' in 2012. Dujardin is known for his versatility and charismatic performances in both French and international cinema.
22 Oct 1913 Dawson Mine Disaster: On October 22, 1913, a catastrophic explosion occurred at the Dawson coal mine in New Mexico, resulting in the tragic death of 263 mine workers. This devastating incident was one of the deadliest mining accidents in United States history, highlighting the dangerous working conditions in early 20th-century coal mines. The explosion likely resulted from methane gas buildup or coal dust ignition, common hazards in underground mining operations of that era.
23 Oct 1913 First Worldwide Woman's Christian Temperance Union Convention: The inaugural worldwide convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was held, bringing together representatives from 50 nations. This landmark event highlighted the growing international solidarity of women advocating for temperance, social reform, and women's rights during the early 20th century. The convention represented a significant milestone in transnational feminist organizing and social activism.
24 Oct 1913 Churchill's Diplomatic Effort to Prevent Anglo-German Naval Escalation: Winston Churchill, serving as the First Lord of the Admiralty, made a significant diplomatic intervention to attempt to de-escalate the naval arms race between Great Britain and Germany. This effort was part of the growing tensions in Europe preceding World War I, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics of the early 20th century.
25 Oct 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no significant historical events were recorded for October 25, 1913, this does not necessarily mean nothing of importance occurred. Many historical moments go undocumented or are only recognized in retrospect. During this period, the world was experiencing significant transitions, including the lead-up to World War I and ongoing technological and social transformations.
26 Oct 1913 Victoriano Huerta Becomes Mexican President: Victoriano Huerta was elected president of Mexico on October 26, 1913, in a politically tumultuous period. His rise to power was controversial, characterized by political repression and opposition. During his presidency, Huerta arrested 110 members of the Chamber of Deputies, signaling his authoritarian approach to governance.
27 Oct 1913 U.S. Revenue Act of 1913: President Woodrow Wilson signed the Revenue Act (Underwood–Simmons Tariff Act), a landmark legislation that significantly reformed the U.S. tax system. The act dropped or reduced numerous existing tariffs and introduced the first federal income tax, which was made possible by the recently ratified Sixteenth Amendment. This tax reform was a crucial step in modernizing the United States' economic policy and establishing a more progressive taxation system.
28 Oct 1913 Krazy Kat Comic Strip Debuts: George Herriman's groundbreaking comic strip Krazy Kat makes its first appearance in the New York Evening Journal. The surreal and innovative strip, featuring the love triangle between Krazy Kat, Ignatz Mouse, and Offissa Pupp, would become a landmark in comic art, celebrated for its unique visual style, poetic language, and avant-garde storytelling. The strip would continue to run until 1944, influencing generations of cartoonists and artists with its experimental approach to narrative and visual representation.
29 Oct 1913 Uneventful Day in 1913: While no specific major historical events were recorded for October 29, 1913, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many historical moments happen without immediate documentation. The year 1913 was a period of significant global transitions, including technological advancements, political shifts, and social changes leading up to World War I.
30 Oct 1913 Serbia and Montenegro Border Treaty: On October 30, 1913, Serbia and Montenegro formally signed a bilateral treaty precisely defining their shared border in the aftermath of the Balkan Wars. This diplomatic agreement helped stabilize territorial relations between the two Balkan kingdoms and represented an important moment of peaceful boundary demarcation during a historically volatile period in southeastern Europe.
31 Oct 1913 First US Federal Income Tax Established: President Woodrow Wilson signed the Revenue Act of 1913 into law, introducing the first comprehensive federal income tax in the United States. This landmark legislation fundamentally transformed the nation's fiscal policy and government revenue generation.