In History, Today on May 13

The United States Supreme Court ruled in Apple Inc. v. Pepper that iPhone users could sue Apple for monopolizing the market for iPhone apps.

Research published in the journal Science revealed significant global coral bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures during the third major global coral reef bleaching event.

A coal mine explosion in Soma, Turkey, resulted in the deaths of 301 miners, marking one of the worst mining disasters in the country's history.

The European Union agreed to a €78 billion bailout package for Portugal, amid widespread austerity measures in the country.

A series of bombings in Jaipur, India, resulted in multiple casualties, increasing tensions and prompting a security crackdown.

Uzbek government forces violently suppressed a protest in Andijan, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties.

Pope John Paul II is shot and critically wounded by Mehmet Ali Ağca in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.

German and Italian forces in North Africa officially surrendered to the Allies, marking the end of the North African Campaign of World War II.

Winston Churchill delivers his first speech as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, famously stating, 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.'

The first apparition of Our Lady of Fátima is reported by three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal.

The strategic St. Lawrence Seaway agreement was concluded.

Brazil abolishes slavery with the signing of the Lei Áurea (Golden Law) by Princess Isabel.

Thomas Edison performs the first test of his electric railway in Menlo Park, New Jersey. This innovation contributed to the development of electric transportation systems.

Queen Victoria issues a proclamation of neutrality, officially declaring the neutrality of the United Kingdom in the American Civil War, a crucial moment as it affected international diplomacy and trade during the conflict.

The United States declares war on Mexico, marking the beginning of the Mexican-American War.

The Republic of Ecuador is founded, marking its independence from Gran Colombia.

The First Fleet of ships carrying convicted criminals from England to establish a penal colony in Australia, set sail from Portsmouth.

The Treaty of Münster was signed, marking the end of the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic, recognizing Dutch independence.

Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was executed in The Hague after being accused of treason, marking a significant political event in the Dutch Republic.

English settlers establish Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America.

Mary, Queen of Scots, was defeated at the Battle of Langside, forcing her to flee to England, where she was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth I.

Pope Alexander VI issued the papal bull 'Inter caetera,' which granted Spain the rights to colonize the New World, a significant event in the Age of Exploration.

Julian of Norwich, an English anchoress and theologian, experienced a series of visions which she later recorded in her work 'Revelations of Divine Love,' the earliest surviving book in the English language to be written by a woman.

The First Battle of Dorylaeum takes place between the Seljuk forces and the Crusaders during the First Crusade.

King Charles the Fat is crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian III, continuing the Carolingian dynasty's influence over the empire.

The Pantheon in Rome is consecrated as a Christian church by Pope Boniface IV, dedicating it to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs, marking the first known instance of a pagan temple being transformed into a Christian place of worship.