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October 13
in history

Cornerstone laid for the President's residence in Washington (1792), and Maldives announces withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Nations (2016). Born on this day: Margaret Thatcher, Turgut Özal and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Died: Bhumibol Adulyadej, Claudius and Dario Fo.

29 events, 67 births and 55 deaths on this date.

Oct 12Pick a dateOct 14
1792

Cornerstone laid for the President's residence in Washington

The stone marked the start of what would become the White House, the home and office of American presidents. Designed by Irish-born James Hoban, modelled on Leinster House in Dublin, it was finished in 1800 and has housed every president since John Adams.

This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade . To see his entire portfolio, click here . @ thatmattwade This image is protected by copyright ! If you would like to use it, please read this first. · CC BY-SA 3.0

Events

  1. 2016

    Maldives announces withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Nations

    The Maldives government announced it would leave the Commonwealth, a group of mostly former British territories, ending its membership of the association. The move came amid concern over the country's political direction and reported criticism of the Commonwealth's stance on its internal affairs.

  2. 1923

    Ankara becomes the capital of Turkey

    Ankara took over from Istanbul as Turkey's seat of government after the Ottoman Empire's collapse. The city had already served as the base of the national movement during the War of Independence, with its assembly meeting there since 1920.

  3. 409

    Vandals and Alans cross the Pyrenees into Hispania

    A mixed force of Vandals and Alans pushed over the Pyrenees into the Iberian Peninsula, the Roman province of Hispania. Their arrival began a period of violent upheaval there, and they went on to carve out short-lived kingdoms.

  4. 1269

    The present Westminster Abbey church is consecrated

    Westminster Abbey's current building was consecrated in 1269, after work begun in 1245 under Henry III. The Gothic church, drawing on French and English styles, still hosts coronations and royal burials today.

    Σπάρτακος · CC BY-SA 3.0
  5. 1307

    French king arrests hundreds of Knights Templar at dawn

    King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of Templars across his kingdom in a single surprise sweep. Under torture many confessed to heresy, a turning point that led to the order's suppression within five years.

  6. 1307

    French agents arrest Knights Templar in a dawn raid

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  7. 54

    Emperor Claudius dies, and Nero succeeds him

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  8. 1399

    Henry IV crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey

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23 more events on October 13

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Born on October 13

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  • Margaret Thatcher
    1925 – 2013 · Politician

    Margaret Thatcher

    Margaret Thatcher was born in Grantham, later becoming the first woman to serve as British prime minister. She led the country from 1979 to 1990, and her name became a byword for free-market reform and a firm, uncompromising style.

    derivative work by Begoon · Copyrighted free use
  • Turgut Özal
    1927 – 1993 · Politician

    Turgut Özal

    Turkish engineer and politician who led the Motherland Party, served as prime minister and then president, and drove market-oriented economic reforms that reshaped Turkey's economy.

    European Communities / Christian Lambiotte · CC BY 4.0
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    1989 · Politician

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a New York Democrat who won a House seat in 2018 by unseating senior party figure Joe Crowley in a primary. At 29, she became the youngest woman to sit in Congress, and remains a leading progressive voice.

    Franmarie Metzler; U.S. House Office of Photography · Public domain

Died on October 13

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  • Bhumibol Adulyadej
    1927 – 2016 · Statesperson

    Bhumibol Adulyadej

    Bhumibol Adulyadej ruled Thailand for seventy years, the longest reign of any Thai monarch, and was also a trained engineer and jazz saxophonist. He held the throne through the country's economic boom and repeated military coups, and his death was mourned across the nation.

    Harry Pot / Anefo · CC0
  • Claudius
    10 BC – 54 · Politician

    Claudius

    Claudius was a Roman emperor who took power in AD 41 after his nephew Caligula's murder, having survived his family's purges thanks to his disability. Remembered as a capable administrator who built roads and aqueducts and began the conquest of Britain, he ruled until his death.

    Coyau · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Dario Fo
    1926 – 2016 · Theatre director

    Dario Fo

    Italian playwright and actor who won the 1997 Nobel Prize in Literature. He revived old commedia dell'arte and street-performer traditions, and his satirical play Mistero Buffo made him both famous and controversial.

    Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer · Public domain

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