What Happened on February 13?

February 13 is World Radio Day — celebrating the invention that beams voices through thin air! It is also the day astronomer Galileo arrived in Rome to defend his big idea about the solar system.

• 1633 — Galileo arrives in Rome to face the Inquisition

  The famous astronomer traveled to Rome to answer charges for teaching that Earth circles the Sun — an idea the Church then considered dangerous. Read the full story →

• 1778 — John Adams boards a frigate for France — with his son aboard

  A future president and his ten-year-old son (another future president!) sailed from Massachusetts into a war zone to win allies for the American Revolution. Read the full story →

• 1914 — ASCAP founded to pay songwriters fairly

  Composers banded together in New York City so that when their songs were played publicly — in theaters, on radio, anywhere — they would get paid. Read the full story →

• 1945 — Allied bombing of Dresden begins in World War II

  British and American bombers attacked the German city of Dresden over several days near the war's end, destroying its historic center and killing tens of thousands. Read the full story →

• 2000 — Final original Peanuts comic strip appears

  One day after cartoonist Charles M. Schulz died, newspapers printed his goodbye letter and farewell Peanuts panel — ending a nearly 50-year daily run. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Chuck Yeager (1923–2020) · Grant Wood (1891–1942) · Peter Gabriel (1950)

Days & observances

World Radio Day · Get a Different Name Day