Obon Festival
The Obon Festival, also known simply as Obon, is a traditional Japanese Buddhist event that honors the spirits of deceased ancestors. It typically takes place from August 13th to 16th, although dates can vary slightly depending on the region and local customs.
Left-Handers Day
Left-Handers Day is celebrated annually on August 13th. It’s a day dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the uniqueness of left-handed individuals, who make up about 10% of the world’s population. Left-Handers Day was first observed in 1992, and since then, it has become an occasion for lefties to celebrate their distinctiveness and for everyone to appreciate the diversity of handedness.
August 13th has seen a number of significant events throughout history across various fields.
Historical Events:
1521 – Capture of Tenochtitlán: Hernán Cortés and his allies captured the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán after a long siege. This event marked the fall of the Aztec Empire and the beginning of Spanish colonization in Mexico.
1704 – Battle of Blenheim: A major battle in the War of the Spanish Succession where the Allied forces under the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene of Savoy defeated the Franco-Bavarian army. This battle is considered one of the turning points in the war.
1889 – Coin-operated telephone: William Gray patented the coin-operated telephone, which revolutionized public communication by making phone calls accessible to those who didn’t own telephones.
1961 – Berlin Wall construction: The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) began building the Berlin Wall, physically dividing East and West Berlin. It became a symbol of the Cold War and the Iron Curtain between Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe and the West.
1964 – Last UK executions: Peter Anthony Allen and Gwynne Owen Evans were hanged at separate prisons, becoming the last people to be executed in the United Kingdom before capital punishment was abolished.
2004 – Athens Olympics: The opening ceremony of the XXVIII Olympiad took place in Athens, Greece, marking the return of the Olympic Games to their spiritual home.
Births:
Annie Oakley (1860): American sharpshooter who became a legendary figure of the American Old West. She was known for her marksmanship skills and toured with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.
Alfred Hitchcock (1899): Influential English film director and producer, known as the “Master of Suspense.” His films, including “Psycho,” “Vertigo,” and “The Birds,” are considered classics of cinema.
Fidel Castro (1926): Cuban revolutionary leader who served as Prime Minister and President of Cuba, transforming the country into a one-party socialist state.
Dan Fogelberg (1951): American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for his solo hits such as “Longer” and “Leader of the Band.”
John Slattery (1962): American actor and director, best known for his role as Roger Sterling in the TV series “Mad Men.”
DeMarcus Cousins (1990): American professional basketball player, known for his skills as a center in the NBA.
Deaths:
Florence Nightingale (1910): English social reformer, statistician, and founder of modern nursing. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War.
H. G. Wells (1946): English writer best known for his science fiction novels including “The Time Machine,” “The War of the Worlds,” and “The Invisible Man.”
Mickey Mantle (1995): American baseball player for the New York Yankees, considered one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
Julia Child (2004): American chef, author, and television personality who introduced French cuisine to the American public through her cookbooks and TV programs.
Kenny Baker (2016): English actor best known for portraying R2-D2 in the Star Wars film series.
Nanci Griffith (2021): American singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for her blend of folk and country music.
