Edited daily
American history, reported as it happened
Made for the 250thOn this day › June 13
What happened on June 13 in American history
June 13 is the 164th day of the year (the 165th in leap years). Patriot Compass has published 10 stories from June 13 spanning 1777 to 2002. Among them: in 1777, a 19-year-old French nobleman steps ashore in South Carolina to join the Continental Army; and in 1805, Lewis reaches the Great Falls of the Missouri; "the grandest sight I ever beheld," he writes.
1777Member story · 1776 Club
A 19-year-old French nobleman steps ashore in South Carolina to join the Continental Army
Lafayette crossed the Atlantic on his own money and against the French crown's orders, bringing his sword to a force short on officers and supplies.
1805Member story · 1776 Club
Lewis reaches the Great Falls of the Missouri; "the grandest sight I ever beheld," he writes
The roaring cascades match the Native accounts that guided the Corps this far, but there is no way through them, and a punishing portage around begins.
1927Member story · 1776 Club
Four million line Fifth Avenue as Lindbergh rides home through a cascade of paper
His mother at his side and Mayor Walker leading the way, the Atlantic flier ends the day at a 500-guest banquet on Long Island.
1966
Warren's court rules 5–4: police must tell suspects they may stay silent before questioning begins
Ernesto Miranda's kidnapping conviction falls; he had signed a "voluntary" confession without ever being told he could refuse to speak or call a lawyer.
1967
Thurgood Marshall takes the oath; the Supreme Court has its first Black justice
The Senate confirmed Marshall 69–11 on August 30, brushing aside sustained Southern objections; he is sworn in today, October 2.
1971
The Times begins printing the Pentagon Papers; four presidents, the documents show, misled the country on Vietnam
A 7,000-page classified Defense Department study reveals the Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations each obscured the true scope of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia.
1994Member story · 1776 Club
Anchorage jury finds Exxon and Captain Hazelwood reckless; $15 billion in claims now possible
Five years after 11 million gallons of crude oil blackened Prince William Sound, spill victims have a verdict that opens the courthouse door.
1996Member story · 1776 Club
Montana Freemen walk out of "Justus Township"; 81-day standoff ends without a shot
LeRoy Schweitzer and his followers surrender the Clark County farm they had held as sovereign territory, defying foreclosure and federal law since March.
1997Member story · 1776 Club
Denver jury sentences McVeigh to death; 168 killed in Oklahoma City, two years past
Eleven days after convicting him on all 11 counts, the same jury recommends execution for the man who built the Murrah Building truck bomb.
2002Member story · 1776 Club
U.S. withdraws from the ABM Treaty; a Cold War arms bargain expires at midnight
Bush gave six months' notice in December, citing rogue-state threats; Moscow says it will now abandon START II.
Read the full June 13 edition →
← June 12 · Every date · June 14 →