1948⚡ Event
Israeli Declaration of Independence
David Ben-Gurion publicly read the Israeli Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv.
politicslaw
May 13 – May 19 in History
DayFacts Week 20 · 7 days
This recurring calendar span contains 104 historical entries in the DayFacts collection. The sections below preview entries from these 7 days; use the date links to open each date collection.
Selected Anniversaries
Explore the Date Pages
Historical Events (May 13 – May 19)(20)
1951⚡ Event
Talyllyn Railway preservation
Trains ran on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales for the first time since its preservation, making it the world's first railway operated by volunteers.
technologyexploration
1961⚡ Event
South Korean Military Coup
Led by Park Chung-hee, the Military Revolution Committee carried out a bloodless coup against the government of Yun Posun in Seoul, ending the Second Republic of Korea.
politicswar
1972⚡ Event
Ryukyu Islands returned to Japan
The Ryukyu Islands were returned to Japan by the United States, and the U.S. occupation government was abolished.
politics
1974⚡ Event
Dublin and Monaghan Bombings
The Ulster Volunteer Force detonated car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan, Ireland, killing 34 people and injuring almost 300 others.
wardisasterpolitics
1975⚡ Event
Sikkim Annexed by India
Based on the results of a referendum, the Kingdom of Sikkim abolished its monarchy and was annexed to become the 22nd state of India.
politics
1975⚡ Event
Junko Tabei Reaches Everest Summit
Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
explorationsports
1980⚡ Event
Sumpul River massacre
During the Salvadoran Civil War, refugees fleeing across the Sumpul River were attacked by Salvadoran and Honduran forces, resulting in at least 300 deaths.
warpoliticsdisaster
1987⚡ Event
USS Stark Attacked
An Iraqi jet fired two Exocet missiles at the American frigate USS Stark, killing 37 personnel and injuring 21 others.
warpolitics
1990⚡ Event
Van Gogh painting sells for record price
Vincent van Gogh's Portrait of Dr. Gachet was sold at auction for US$82.5 million, setting a world record for the most expensive painting at the time.
artseconomics
1991⚡ Event
Croatian Independence Referendum
With the local Serb population boycotting the referendum, Croatians voted in favour of independence from Yugoslavia.
politicswar
1992⚡ Event
Introduction of Falun Gong
Li Hongzhi introduced the Falun Gong movement during a public lecture in Changchun, China.
religionphilosophy
1995⚡ Event
11th Panchen Lama Kidnapped
Six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, was kidnapped by the Chinese government.
religionpolitics
1996⚡ Event
Ireland Wins Eurovision
Ireland won the Eurovision song contest for the seventh time. This was the highest number of wins for any country until Sweden tied it in 2023.
musicentertainment
1997⚡ Event
Establishment of Sierra Gorda Biosphere
The Sierra Gorda Biosphere, which encompasses the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, was established as a result of grassroots efforts.
politics
2000⚡ Event
Enschede fireworks disaster
An explosion at a fireworks factory in Enschede, Netherlands, caused 23 deaths and approximately €450 million in damages.
disasterlaw
2004⚡ Event
Arsenal finishes season undefeated
Arsenal became the first football team in England's top flight to finish a season undefeated since Preston North End in the 1888–1889 season.
sports
2005⚡ Event
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Debuts
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion publicly debuted at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. It was a highly anticipated release in the video game industry.
technologyentertainment
2005⚡ Event
Andijan massacre
Uzbek troops fired on protesters in Andijan, resulting in a massacre with an estimated death toll ranging from 187 to 1,500.
politicslaw
2006⚡ Event
Nepal Strips King of Powers
The Parliament of Nepal unanimously voted to strip King Gyanendra of many of his powers. This was a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
politicslaw
Births (May 13 – May 19)(15)
1994🎂 Birth
Kathinka von Deichmann
Kathinka von Deichmann is a Liechtenstein tennis player.
sports
1996🎂 Birth
Blake Brockington
Blake Brockington was an American trans man and activist.
politicslaw
1996🎂 Birth
Martin Garrix
Martin Garrix is a Dutch DJ and music producer.
musicentertainment
1998🎂 Birth
Lucrezia Stefanini
Lucrezia Stefanini, an Italian tennis player, was born.
sports
1999🎂 Birth
Anastasia Gasanova
Anastasia Gasanova, a Russian tennis player, was born.
sports
Deaths (May 13 – May 19)(15)
2019🕊️ Death
Tim Conway
Tim Conway was an American actor, writer, and comedian.
entertainmentarts
2019🕊️ Death
Herman Wouk
American author Herman Wouk died. He was born in 1915.
literaturearts
2019🕊️ Death
Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat was an American cat known for its permanently "grumpy" facial expression, becoming an internet meme celebrity.
entertainment
2020🕊️ Death
Lucky Peterson
American blues singer, keyboardist, and guitarist Lucky Peterson died. He was born in 1964.
musicarts
2021🕊️ Death
Oliver Gillie
Oliver Gillie, a British journalist and scientist, has died. He was born in 1937.
scienceliterature
2021🕊️ Death
Bruno Covas
Bruno Covas was a Brazilian lawyer and politician.
politicslaw
2021🕊️ Death
Charles Grodin
Charles Grodin was an American actor and talk show host.
entertainment
2021🕊️ Death
Paul Mooney
Paul Mooney, an American comedian, died. He was born in 1941.
entertainmentarts
2022🕊️ Death
Frank Curry
Frank Curry, an Australian rugby league player and coach, has died. He was born in 1950.
sports
2023🕊️ Death
Jim Brown
Jim Brown was an American football player, civil rights activist, and actor.
sportspoliticsentertainment
2023🕊️ Death
Andy Rourke
Andy Rourke, an English bassist, died. He was born in 1964.
musicentertainment
2024🕊️ Death
Alice Munro
Alice Munro was a Canadian short story writer.
literaturearts
2025🕊️ Death
Kit Bond
Kit Bond, an American lawyer and politician, served as the 47th Governor of Missouri.
politics