34 fun facts for October, 13

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
October 13th is a day filled with historical events, international observances, and national celebrations. From International Skeptics Day to the beginnings of the White House, the invention of the iPod, and National M&M's Day, it is a diverse and exciting date in history that deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
34 Fun facts
  1. October 13th is International Skeptics Day, a day dedicated to promoting critical thinking and questioning the world around us. Celebrate the day by challenging popular opinions and conducting your research.
  2. October 13th, 1792, marked the beginning of the construction of the White House in Washington, D.C. The building, originally called the "President's Palace," was designed by Irish architect James Hoban.
  3. On October 13, 1884, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) was adopted worldwide as a global time standard. Universal time now allows the world to effectively communicate and arrange schedules across different time zones.
  4. American aviator L. Frank Baum passed away on October 13, 1919. He was best known as the author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," a classic children's book that has been adapted into many films, animations, and theatrical productions.
  5. On October 13th, 1923, the city of Ankara became the capital of Turkey, replacing Istanbul. The change was part of the modernization efforts of the new Turkish Republic, moving the capital to a more central location in the country.
  6. The BBC Television Service, now known as BBC One, was launched on October 13, 1936. It was the world's first regular high-definition TV service and laid the groundwork for today's television broadcasts.
  7. On October 13, 1947, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison created the first Frisbee, a flying disc toy that would become incredibly popular and spawn competitive sports like Ultimate Frisbee and disc golf.
  8. October 13th, 1958, saw the first broadcast of Paddington Bear on BBC's children's programming. This loveable character from "Darkest Peru" has been entertaining generations of children ever since and is still a popular children's show today.
  9. NFL legend Jerry Rice was born on October 13, 1962. He is widely considered one of the best wide receivers in American football history, holding numerous records and making appearances in 13 Pro Bowls throughout his career.
  10. On October 13, 1983, Ameritech Mobile Communications launched the first U.S. cellular network in Chicago, Illinois. This was a groundbreaking moment in telecommunications history, paving the way for widespread cellular phone use and modern mobile communication.
  11. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Day for Disaster Reduction on October 13, 1989. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about effective disaster reduction measures and encourage countries to work together in mitigating the consequences of natural and man-made disasters.
  12. On October 13, 1995, Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge completed his solo journey to the South Pole. He became the first person to reach the Earth's southernmost point alone and unaided, a remarkable achievement in polar exploration.
  13. Apple introduced the first iPod on October 13, 2001. It revolutionized the way people listened to music and ushered in a new era of portable digital media.
  14. October 13, 2004, marked the historic flight of SpaceShipOne, the first privately financed manned spacecraft to reach outer space. This milestone marked a new era in space exploration, with private companies paving the way for future advancements.
  15. The United Nations designated October 13th as International Day for Failure in 2010. The aim of this day is to encourage people to share their stories of failure, learn from them, and celebrate the lessons they provide to ultimately achieve success.
  16. October 13, 2011, was the day when Microsoft released the voice-activated personal assistant, Cortana, for Windows Phone. Cortana was designed to compete with Apple's Siri and Google's Google Assistant, making smartphones even smarter.
  17. October 13th marks the feast day of St. Edward the Confessor, an influential English king known for his piety and diplomacy. He reigned from 1042 to 1066 and was canonized as a saint by Pope Alexander III in 1161.
  18. In 2013, Thomas Bach was elected as the ninth president of the International Olympic Committee on October 13. He succeeded Jacques Rogge, continuing the work of promoting and organizing the Olympic Games around the world.
  19. On October 13, 2015, Canadian writer Alice Munro celebrated her 84th birthday with the announcement that she had won the Nobel Prize in Literature, making her the first Canadian woman to do so.
  20. October 13, 2016, marked the first flight of the world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, a massive airplane designed to carry cargo weighing up to 640 metric tons.
  21. In response to the #MeToo movement, the Women's Convention was held in Detroit from October 13-15, 2017, aiming to create meaningful change in women's rights and gender equality across the United States.
  22. October 13th is National Yorkshire Pudding Day in the United Kingdom. This day celebrates the iconic British dish, which is typically served alongside a traditional roast dinner.
  23. On October 13, 2018, the International Observe the Moon Night took place, encouraging people worldwide to look at and learn about Earth's natural satellite and the lunar missions conducted by various space agencies.
  24. October 13th is No Bra Day, a day meant to raise awareness about breast cancer and promote regular self-examination and mammograms to detect any potential signs of the disease early.
  25. In Australia, October 13th is known as National Ride2Work Day, an event that encourages people to choose cycling rather than driving to work, promoting a greener and healthier lifestyle.
  26. October 13th is National Fossil Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the Earth's fascinating prehistoric past and the importance of fossils in understanding the world's ancient ecosystems.
  27. On October 13, 2020, Apple announced its latest iPhone models – the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max – which included 5G compatibility and an updated design.
  28. October 13th is Silly Sayings Day, a day dedicated to the appreciation of funny phrases, puns, and humorous expressions that spark laughter and bring joy to everyday conversations.
  29. In Japan, October 13th is celebrated as Health and Sports Day, a national holiday designed to promote an active lifestyle and encourage people to participate in sports for their well-being.
  30. On October 13, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the launch of the Global Online Tobacco Control Training (GOTCT), an online platform for strengthening tobacco control efforts worldwide through skill development.
  31. October 13th is National Train Your Brain Day in the United States, which encourages individuals to engage in mental exercises and activities that challenge cognitive function and promote brain health.
  32. October 13th is National Kick Butt Day in the United States, a day dedicated to helping individuals kick bad habits, conquer procrastination, and take control of their lives to achieve personal and professional goals.
  33. In South Korea, October 13th is Gimjang Day, celebrating the preparation and preservation of kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables.
  34. October 13th is National M&M's Day in the United States, which celebrates the famous colorful chocolate candies that are loved by millions around the world.

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