Borinqueneers Day
The Borinqueneers were members of the 65th Infantry Regiment, a Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army. This unit has a distinguished history, especially for its service during the Korean War, where it earned acclaim for bravery and sacrifice. “Borinqueneers” is a nickname derived from “Borinquen,” the indigenous Taíno name for Puerto Rico. Originally established in 1899 as a battalion of Puerto Rican volunteers shortly after the U.S. took control of the island. The 65th Infantry was one of the last segregated units in the U.S. military, composed almost entirely of Puerto Rican soldiers, with many officers being Anglo-Americans.
Songkran Water Festival
The Songkran Water Festival is Thailand’s traditional New Year celebration, held annually from April 13–15 (though festivities can last longer in some regions). It’s one of the most iconic and widely celebrated festivals in Thailand, known internationally for its vibrant and joyful water fights. Songkran marks the Thai solar new year, originally based on astrological calculations. It’s a time for spiritual renewal, family gatherings, and paying respect to elders. Traditionally, people clean their homes, visit temples, and pour water over Buddha statues and elders’ hands as a gesture of purification and blessing.
Scrabble Day
National Scrabble Day is celebrated on April 13 each year in honor of the birthday of Alfred Mosher Butts, the inventor of the classic word game Scrabble. Alfred Butts created the game in the 1930s, originally calling it “Lexiko” and later “Criss-Crosswords.” The game evolved into “Scrabble” in the late 1940s when Butts partnered with James Brunot, who helped refine and market it. It became a household staple by the 1950s and remains one of the most popular board games worldwide.
April 13th has seen many significant events throughout history across various fields, including politics, science, and culture.
Historical Events
1743 – Thomas Jefferson is born
The third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence was born in Virginia.
1870 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art is founded
The Met, now one of the largest and most prestigious art museums in the world, was established in New York City.
1943 – Discovery of the Katyn Massacre
Nazi Germany announced the discovery of mass graves of Polish officers in the Katyn Forest, attributing it to the Soviets. This deepened tensions during WWII.
1964 – Sidney Poitier wins Best Actor Oscar
Poitier became the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for Lilies of the Field.
1970 – Apollo 13 suffers critical failure
An oxygen tank exploded aboard NASA’s Apollo 13 mission, prompting the famous phrase, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” The crew safely returned to Earth.
1997 – Tiger Woods wins the Masters
At just 21 years old, Woods became the youngest winner of the Masters Tournament and the first African American to win it.
Famous Birthdays
1743 – Thomas Jefferson
1906 – Samuel Beckett, Irish playwright and Nobel Prize winner
1946 – Al Green, American soul singer and songwriter
1951 – Peabo Bryson, American R&B singer
Notable Deaths
1695 – Jean de La Fontaine
French poet and fabulist, best known for his Fables, which are still widely read in French literature.
1826 – Franz Danzi
German cellist, composer, and conductor, associated with early Romantic music and known for his wind quintets.
1901 – Richard D’Oyly Carte
English theatrical impresario who promoted the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan and founded the Savoy Theatre and the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
1941 – Annie Jump Cannon
Pioneering American astronomer who developed the modern stellar classification system. She classified over 350,000 stars in her lifetime.
1945 – Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)
The 32nd President of the United States, who led the country through the Great Depression and most of World War II, died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage at age 63.
2018 – Miloš Forman
Czech-American film director, known for critically acclaimed films like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Amadeus.
