32 fun facts for March, 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
March 13th is a remarkable day in history, with various countries celebrating National Elephant Day, Good Samaritan Day and K9 Veterans Day. Significant events like the discoveries of planets Uranus and Pluto, Microsoft's IPO, and Estonia's declaration of independence are just some of the many notable occurrences on this day.
32 Fun facts
  1. March 13th is National Elephant Day in Thailand, celebrating these majestic creatures and their importance in Thai history, culture and tourism. This day focuses on raising awareness about elephant conservation and protection.
  2. March 13th is National Good Samaritan Day in the United States, honoring those who demonstrate kindness and compassion to others, especially those in need. It is a day to assist others and make the world a little bit better.
  3. March 13th is National K9 Veterans Day in the United States, honoring the dedication and sacrifices of military and police service dogs. The day pays tribute to these courageous canines and their handlers.
  4. On March 13, 2008, Dmitry Medvedev was elected as Russia's third President. He served a term from 2008 to 2012, before being appointed Prime Minister and succeeded by Vladimir Putin.
  5. In astrology, people born on March 13th are Pisces, a water sign known for its emotional depth, compassion, and artistic flair. Pisceans are intuitive and have a strong sense of empathy for others.
  6. On March 13, 1781, British astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus. It was the first planet discovered with a telescope and the first new planet discovered since antiquity.
  7. On March 13, 2012, Encyclopedia Britannica announced that it would discontinue its print editions after 244 years of publication, shifting its focus to digital products and educational resources.
  8. On March 13, 1986, Microsoft Corporation went public, with its initial public offering (IPO) of stock. It was a milestone for both the technology industry and for Bill Gates, the company's co-founder.
  9. On March 13, 1930, the news of the discovery of Pluto was announced by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. The small, icy world would later be reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.
  10. On March 13, 1964, the Good Friday Earthquake struck Alaska, with a magnitude of 9.2, making it the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America and the second most powerful earthquake in world history.
  11. On March 13, 1979, the European Space Agency launched the Skylab space station. It was the world's first long-term, manned space station and played a key role in pioneering space research.
  12. On March 13, 2013, Pope Francis was elected as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first pope from the Americas and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.
  13. On March 13, 1987, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced the creation of the three-point line. The rule change added a new dimension to the game and increased scoring opportunities.
  14. On March 13, 1925, Tennessee passed legislation prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools, leading to the infamous Scopes "Monkey Trial" later that year.
  15. On March 13, 1972, Apollo 16 began its journey to the moon. It was the second-to-last manned lunar mission in the Apollo program and yielded groundbreaking scientific discoveries about Earth's natural satellite.
  16. On March 13, 1969, the Apollo 9 mission safely returned to Earth after a successful test of the lunar module in space, paving the way for the first manned lunar landing later that year.
  17. On March 13, 2016, the World Health Organization declared that the Zika virus outbreak was no longer a public health emergency, after causing severe birth defects in thousands of babies in Brazil in 2015.
  18. On March 13, 1997, tens of thousands of people across southwestern United States reportedly witnessed a series of strange lights in the sky, known as the Phoenix Lights phenomenon, sparking widespread speculation about extraterrestrial activity.
  19. On March 13, 1900, the first edition of the German automaker BMW was produced, marking the beginnings of what would become one of the world's leading luxury vehicle manufacturers.
  20. On March 13, 1957, the FBI's "Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list was introduced to the public, in order to assist in the apprehension of dangerous criminals on the run.
  21. On March 13, 1935, famed American animator and creator of Felix the Cat, Otto Messmer, passed away. His iconic character laid the groundwork for several animated characters to come.
  22. On March 13, 1877, American inventor Chester Greenwood was granted a patent for earmuffs, a simple yet effective solution for combating cold winters.
  23. On March 13, 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States, ordering the breakup of the Standard Oil monopoly, paving the way for future antitrust legislation.
  24. March 13th is also the National No Smoking Day in the United Kingdom, aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of smoking and encouraging smokers to quit.
  25. On March 13, 1938, the first public demonstration of a television was held at a department store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  26. On March 13, 1961, the first US mail carrying rocket, known as the "missile mail", was launched from the USS submarine named The Barbero.
  27. On March 13, 1991, Estonia declared independence from the Soviet Union, re-establishing its pre-WWII state and paving the way for a democratic government.
  28. On March 13, 1993, the "Great Blizzard of '93," also known as the "Storm of the Century," struck the Eastern United States, causing widespread damage and snowfall amounts not seen in decades.
  29. On March 13,1987, John Gotti, known as the "Teflon Don" of the American Mafia, was acquitted of racketeering charges in a federal court in New York City.
  30. On March 13, 2010, Miep Gies, one of the rescuers who hid Anne Frank and her family during the Holocaust, passed away at the age of 100.
  31. On March 13, 1933, the ground-breaking film King Kong premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, showcasing groundbreaking special effects and setting a standard for monster movies.
  32. On March 13, 1868, the impeachment trial of US President Andrew Johnson began, marking the first time a US president faced this process. Johnson would ultimately avoid removal from office by just one vote.

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