Today In History October 13th

October 13th has seen many significant events throughout history. 

From the end of a powerful organization to a miraculous rescue, here are five key moments that happened on this day.

The Arrest of the Knights Templar (1307)

On October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar. This was a powerful group that had gained wealth and influence during the Crusades. 

The king, who owed them money, accused them of serious crimes and had them arrested. This marked the start of the end for the Templars, who were disbanded a few years later. 

Their story has since become the basis for many myths and conspiracy theories.

Founding of the U.S. Navy (1775)

On this day in 1775, the Continental Congress decided to create a navy, marking the beginning of the United States Navy. 

During the American Revolution, the new naval force helped protect shipping routes and disrupt British supplies. 

This was the start of what would grow into one of the most powerful navies in the world.

Greenwich Becomes the Prime Meridian (1884)

In 1884, an international conference made Greenwich, London, the Prime Meridian (0° longitude), creating a standard for global time zones. 

Before this, different places had their own local times, causing confusion, especially for trains and trade. 

Adopting Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) helped create the timekeeping system we still use today.

The Andes Plane Crash Survival Story (1972)

On October 13, 1972, a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes mountains. 

The survivors were stranded for 72 days in harsh, freezing conditions. With no other options, they had to resort to eating the bodies of those who had died. 

Their story became a powerful tale of survival and was later told in the book "Alive," which was also made into a movie.

The Rescue of the Chilean Miners (2010)

In 2010, 33 miners were trapped underground for 69 days after a cave-in at the San José Mine in Chile. 

The world watched as a special capsule was used to bring each miner to safety, one by one. 

The dramatic rescue was celebrated around the globe and showed what teamwork and technology could achieve.

October 13th has seen many important events, from the fall of powerful organizations to stories of human courage and survival. 

Each of these moments has left a lasting impact, teaching us lessons about resilience, cooperation, and history.