Today in History: March 13 – Francis Becomes First Non-European Pope in Over 1,250 Years
March 13, 2013: A Historic Papal Election
On this day in history, Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected as Pope Francis, becoming the first pope from the Americas and the first non-European pontiff in over 1,250 years. His election marked a significant shift in the Catholic Church, as the last non-European pope was Pope Gregory III, who died in the year 741.
Other Notable Events on March 13:
1781: Discovery of Uranus
Astronomer William Herschel discovered Uranus, the seventh planet in the solar system. This was a groundbreaking discovery that expanded humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.
1925: The Butler Act and the Evolution Debate
The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Butler Act, prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools. The law, signed by Governor Austin Peay on March 21, led to the famous Scopes Monkey Trial later that year. The act was ultimately repealed in 1967.
1946: Medal of Honor Awarded to Sadao Munemori
U.S. Army Pfc. Sadao Munemori was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing himself to save fellow soldiers from a grenade explosion in Seravezza, Italy. He was the only Japanese-American service member to receive this honor in the immediate aftermath of World War II.
1954: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu Begins
The First Indochina War escalated as Viet Minh forces launched an attack on French troops at Dien Bien Phu. The battle ended nearly two months later with a decisive victory for the Viet Minh, leading to France’s withdrawal from Indochina.
1996: Dunblane School Massacre
A tragic mass shooting took place in Dunblane, Scotland, when a gunman entered an elementary school and killed 16 children and a teacher before taking his own life. It remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history.
2020: COVID-19 Declared a National Emergency
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency, allowing for increased federal aid and resources to combat the outbreak.
2020: The Death of Breonna Taylor
Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot in her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky, during a botched raid by plainclothes narcotics detectives. No drugs were found, and the “no-knock” warrant used to enter by force was later found to.
