13 May History
- 1607 - English colonists land near the James River in Virginia.
- 1648 - Margaret Jones of Plymouth is found guilty of witchcraft and is sentenced to be hanged.
- 1779 - The War of Bavarian Succession ends.
- 1846 - The United States declares war on Mexico after fighting has already begun.
- 1861 - Britain declares its neutrality in the American Civil War.
- 1864 - The Battle of Resaca commences as Union General Sherman fights towards Atlanta.
- 1888 - Slavery is abolished in Brazil.
- 1912 - The Royal Flying Corps is established in England.
- 1913 - Igor Sikorsky flies the first four-engine aircraft.
- 1944 - Allied forces in Italy break through the German Gustav Line into the Liri Valley.
- 1958 - French troops take control of Algiers.
- 1968 - Peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam begin in Paris.
- 1981 - Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt.
13 May Birthdays
- 1729 - Henry William Stiegel, early American glassmaker.
- 1842 - Sir Arthur Sullivan, composer, collaborator with W.S. Gilbert.
- 1857 - Ronald Ross, bacteriologist.
- 1907 - Daphne du Maurier, author (Rebecca).
- 1912 - Gil Evans, jazz pianist and composer.
- 1914 - Joe Louis, world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949.
- 1940 - Bruce Chatwin, travel writer (Patagonia).