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    History in 13th Apr

  • Thomas Jefferson born

    Third President and Founding Father Thomas Jefferson is born in Shadwell, Virginia. The son of a successful planter, Jefferson distinguished himself as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which was signed by the Second Continental Congress in 1776. He later governed the Commonwealth of Virginia, served as George Washington's first Secretary of State, and led the Democratic-Republican Party, first as Vice President under President John Adams, then later as President from 1801 to 1809.

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  • Apollo 13 disaster

    An oxygen tank explodes during the Apollo 13 lunar mission, seriously jeopardizing the mission. The crew had to abandon the lunar landing but did make it back safely to Earth.

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  • Ft Sumter surrenders

    Fort Sumter surrenders to Confederate forces after a 34-hour bombardment. Commanded by Major Robert Anderson, the Union garrison exchanged fire with the Confederate batteries but could not withstand the continuous artillery barrage. The federal soldiers evacuated the fort and left Charleston Harbor.

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