August 13

Overview

The day sits in late summer in the Northern Hemisphere and late winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Like many calendar dates, August 13 is the focus of a mix of historical events, cultural observances and personal commemorations. It is often used as a reference point when listing chronologies or anniversaries.

Historical events

Certain occurrences on August 13 have had wide historical impact. Notable examples include the capture of Tenochtitlan in 1521, which marked a decisive moment in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, and the beginning of construction of border fortifications in Berlin in 1961 that evolved into the Berlin Wall, a symbol of Cold War division. These events are commonly cited in overviews of early colonial history and twentieth-century geopolitics.

Observances and culture

August 13 is observed by some groups for specific causes and cultural reasons. International Left-Handers Day is celebrated on August 13 to raise awareness of the challenges left-handed people can face and to celebrate left-handedness; it has been marked since the 1970s. Various local, religious and civic commemorations may also fall on this date, and different countries may attach particular national anniversaries to it.

Notable births and commemorations

• Alfred Hitchcock (born 1899), the influential British film director, is among prominent figures born on August 13.
• Historians and chronologists often list other births, deaths and milestones for the date when compiling annual or thematic timelines.

As with any calendar date, the significance of August 13 varies by place and discipline: historians emphasize political and military events, cultural commentators note observances, and personal calendars mark birthdays and anniversaries. For further chronological details and lists of events associated with this date consult reference chronologies and date-specific compendia.