Beans ’N’ Franks Day
Beans ’N’ Franks Day is celebrated on July 13th, honoring the classic American dish that combines baked beans with hot dogs or sausages. This hearty, comforting meal has been a staple at family gatherings, picnics, and barbecues for generations. The day encourages people to enjoy this simple yet delicious combination, often evoking nostalgia and childhood memories. Beans ’N’ Franks are praised for their affordability, ease of preparation, and satisfying taste. To celebrate, people might cook up their own versions of the dish, share recipes, or gather with friends and family for a casual meal. The day is a tribute to a beloved culinary tradition that brings people together over good food and fond memories.
Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
Barbershop Music Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on July 13th to honor the distinctive four-part harmony style of music known as barbershop. This day commemorates the founding of the Barbershop Harmony Society (originally the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, or SPEBSQSA) in 1938. Barbershop music, characterized by its close harmonies and a cappella arrangements, has roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when barbershops were common gathering places for men to socialize and sing.
July 13th has been marked by various significant historical events, notable births, and deaths.
Historical Events
1793: Charlotte Corday assassinated Jean-Paul Marat, a radical journalist and politician during the French Revolution, in his bath.
1863: The New York City Draft Riots begin, sparked by anger over the newly enacted draft law during the Civil War. The riots lasted for several days and were among the largest civil insurrections in American history.
1923: The iconic Hollywood Sign is officially dedicated in the hills above Hollywood, Los Angeles. Originally reading “Hollywoodland,” it was intended to advertise a new housing development.
1930: The first FIFA World Cup kicked off in Uruguay.
1977: A 25-hour blackout begins in New York City, leading to widespread looting and arson.
1982: The International Whaling Commission decides to end commercial whaling by 1985-86 to protect endangered whale species.
1985: Live Aid concerts, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, are held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia.
Birthdays
1527: John Dee, English mathematician, astronomer, and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.
1608: Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia.
1942: Harrison Ford, American actor known for his roles in “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones.”
1944: Ernő Rubik, Hungarian inventor of the Rubik’s Cube.
Deaths
1882: Johnny Ringo, famous American Old West outlaw.
1951: Arnold Schoenberg, influential Austrian-American composer known for developing the twelve-tone technique in music.
2014: Nadine Gordimer, South African writer and political activist, Nobel Prize laureate in Literature.
