On this day

13 April in history.

5 moments from 1742 to 1997: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

George Frideric Handel

1742

Messiah is heard for the first time. Handel's Messiah was first performed in Dublin as a charity concert, raising money for prisoners and hospitals.

Wikipedia: Messiah (Handel)

Photo: Attributed to Balthasar Denner / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 13 April

  1. Jefferson Memorial at night from across the Tidal Basin

    1943

    The Jefferson Memorial is dedicated

    Washington, D.C. dedicated its memorial to Thomas Jefferson exactly 200 years after he was born.

    Wikipedia: Jefferson Memorial

    Photo: Brian Hamfeldt / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  2. GRAB1 sitting atop Transit 2A during launch preparations

    1960

    Navigation from space

    The United States launched Transit 1B, part of the first satellite navigation system, a forerunner of today's GPS.

    Wikipedia: Transit (satellite navigation system)

    Photo: Bruce Carlson / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Sidney Poitier in For Love of Ivy , 1968

    1964

    Sidney Poitier makes history

    Sidney Poitier won the Oscar for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field, the first Black man to win the award.

    Wikipedia: Sidney Poitier

    Photo: Unknown photographer / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Tiger Woods

    1997

    Tiger Woods wins the Masters

    At 21, Tiger Woods won the Masters by 12 strokes, the youngest winner and the first of Black or Asian heritage.

    Wikipedia: Tiger WoodsWikipedia: 1997 Masters Tournament

    Photo: The White House / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.