On This Day:
Saturday July 13, 2013

This is the 194th day of the year, with 171 days remaining in 2013.

Fact of the Day: Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail is approximately 2,000 miles long and goes from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon. It took at least four months to travel the 2,000-mile trail the first time. The Oregon Trail was in regular use from 1841 through 1869, during which time it was traveled by an estimated 500,000 pioneers. In 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed, displacing use of the Trail for long distance travel.

Holidays

Feast day of Saints Bridget and Maura, St. Henry the Emperor, St. Silas or Silvanus, St. Francis Solano, and St. Eugenius of Carthage.
France: Night Watch or La Retraite Aux Flambeaux.
Japan: Bon Festival / Feast of Lanterns.

Events

1787 - The U.S. Congress, under the Articles of Confederation, enacted the Northwest Ordinance, establishing rules for governing the Northwest Territory, for admitting new states to the Union and limiting the expansion of slavery.
1837 - Queen Victoria became the first sovereign to move into Buckingham Palace, London.
1863 - Deadly rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City. 
1939 - Frank Sinatra made his recording debut with the Harry James band, singing "Melancholy Mood" and "From The Bottom of My Heart."
1977 - A blackout lasting 25 hours hit the New York City area after lightning struck upstate power lines. 
1985 - Live Aid, a multi-venue, international rock music concert, was held to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.
2005 - Former WorldCom Inc. CEO Bernard Ebbers was sentenced to 25 years in prison for nine felonies: one count each ofconspiracy and securities fraud, and seven counts of filing false statements with securities regulators.

Births

1729 - John Parker, leader of the volunteer Minutemen in the American Revolution.
1913 - Dave Garroway, American newscaster and television host.
1921 - Charles Scribner, Jr., American book publisher.
1942 - Harrison Ford, American actor.
1944 - Erno Rubik, Hungarian inventor.
1944 - Harrison Ford, American actor.
1946 - Cheech Marin, American comedian and actor.
1962 - Tom Kenny, American voice actor.

Deaths

1712 - Richard Cromwell, Lord Protector of England and son of Oliver Cromwell.
1793 - Jean-Paul Marat, French politician, physician, journalist and revolutionary leader.
1954 - Frida Kahlo, Mexican painter.
1993 - Davey Allison, American race car driver.
2002 - Yousuf Karsh, CC, an Armenian-born Canadian photographer.
2006 - Red Buttons (born Aaron Chwatt), American comedian.