A closer look at key historic events that took place on May 13:
In 1989, students begin a hunger strike on Tiananmen Square
The non-violent occupation of the square was part of a series of pro-democracy demonstrations in China, which began in April 1989, primarily driven by students demanding political reform, greater freedom of speech, and other democratic rights. The movement quickly gained momentum, but was violently cracked down by the army on June 3-4. About 3,000 unarmed civilians were killed.
A Beijing citizen stands in front of tanks on the Avenue of Eternal Peace in Beijing in this June 5, 1989 file photo during the crushing of the Tiananmen Square uprising. Relatives of victims went to Beijing cemeteries on June 4, 2003 to mark the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, laying flowers and bowing to portraits of loved ones under the watchful eyes of police. For many Chinese, interest has faded as they enrich themselves from economic reform, but 14 years after troops and tanks crushed student-led demonstrations on June 3 and 4, the relatives find it hard to forgive and harder to forget. REUTERS/Arthur Tsang/Files
In 1981, Pope John Paul II survives an assassination attempt
The assassination attempt occurred in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Ağcas shot and seriously wounded the Pope who survived after a 5 hour operation. He subsequently went to visit his attacker in prison.
FILE PHOTO 13MAY81- Pope John Paul II lies injured in his jeep in St. Peter’s Square after being shot by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca in this May 1981 file photo. Italy June 13, granted clemency to Turkish gunman Agca, jailed 19 years ago for the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul, the presidential palace said. Agca still has to serve part of a sentence in Turkey for killing a journalist in 1978. ph/Photo by Arturo Mari-Vatican
In 1960, a Swiss expedition reaches the summit of Dhaulagiri in the Himalayas.
Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world, standing at an elevation of 8,167 meters. The expedition was led by Max Eiselin and marked a significant milestone in mountaineering history.
Full view of Dhaulagiri mountain with monastery. Wikimedia Commons
In 1950, the first Formula One World Championship season begins
22 drivers competed in the race, the first one of which took place at Silverstone, United Kingdom on May 13. Italian driver Giuseppe Farina won the inaugural championship driving for Alfa Romeo.
El Grafico del 20 de Febrero de 1953. Edicion 1750. elgrafico.com.ar
The Mexican-American War rose mainly from tensions between the two as a result of territorial disputes and the US annexing Texas. It lasted from 1846 to 1848 and resulted in significant territorial changes, with the United States gaining large areas of land that later became part of the American Southwest.
Pursuit of the Mexicans by the U.S. Dragoons: under the intrepid Col. Harney, at the Battle of Churubusco Aug. 20, 1847. N. Currier (Firm). Library of Congress
In 1673, the table knife is invented
France’s Cardinal Richelieu invented the new cutlery. The table knife had rounded tips to stop people from using it to pick their teeth.
Table-set of knife, fork, spoon and toothpick, silver. Wikimedia Commons
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