2013 was a year filled with incredible moments and remarkable achievements. From the release of Disney’s “Frozen” to Andy Murray’s historic Wimbledon victory, the world was captivated by these unforgettable events.
This year, we witnessed some memorable occurrences, such as Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, making history as the first papal resignation since 1415.
In the realm of technology, 2013 saw significant advancements with the introduction of the iPhone 5S featuring Touch ID. And, of course, we can’t forget that the short-lived but memorable Google Glass was released as a prototype this year.
Also, 2013 marked the inception of the Black Lives Matter hashtag, paving the way for a powerful social movement.
Continue reading to delve into the historic events, newsworthy happenings, and legacies left behind by prominent individuals who passed away in 2013.
Events
Here you’ll witness the remarkable events that left an indelible mark on our world in 2013.
Jan 30
South Korea’s first launch vehicle successfully reached orbit for the first time.
The launch vehicle, Naro-1, was a two-stage rocket with a modified Russian Angara URM as the first stage and a solid-fuel second stage constructed by South Korea’s national space agency. The first two attempts to launch were total failures, with the Naro-1 exploding in mid-air. This third attempt successfully carried a South Korean Science and Technology Satellite 2C (STSAT-2C) into orbit.
Nov 13
Same-sex marriage was legalized in Hawaii.
The bill passed through the state legislature and was signed into law by Hawaiian Governor Neil Abercrombie on the same day. The new law came into effect on December 2nd, with many same-sex couples choosing to get married on the first day of legalization.
Dec 8
Metallica became the first band to have performed on all seven continents when they held a concert in Antarctica.
“Freeze ’em All,” as Metallica dubbed the show, was held in a giant dome to protect the audience of 120 from the harsh elements. The audience had to listen to the band through headphones for fear of loud amplified music negatively affecting the delicate ecosystem of Antarctica.
Famous Deaths
Here’s a glimpse at a few famous people who bid us farewell in 2013.
1973
2013
Paul Walker
American
Actor
1973
2013
Paul Walker
Paul Walker was an American actor born on September 12, 1973. He died on November 30, 2013, at age 40 in Santa Clarita, California, USA.
Died On:
Nov 30, 2013 (Age 40)
Died In:
California, USA
1918
2013
Nelson Mandela
South African
President
1918
2013
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was a South African president born on July 18, 1918. He died on December 5, 2013, at age 95 in Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Died On:
Dec 5, 2013 (Age 95)
Died In:
Johannesburg, South Africa
1925
2013
Margaret Thatcher
English
Politician
1925
2013
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher was an English politician born on October 13, 1925. She died on April 8, 2013, at age 87 in London, England, UK.
Died On:
Apr 8, 2013 (Age 87)
Died In:
England, UK
Quotes
Here’s a roundup of the most memorable quotes people said in 2013.
Jan 11
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.
Maya Angelou
American Memoirist
Jul 17
However happy people say they are, nobody is satisfied: we always have to be with the prettiest woman, buy a bigger house, change cars, desire what we do not have.
Paulo Coelho
Brazilian Lyricist
2013 In Music
2013 was a year filled with chart-topping hits that became instant classics!
From the catchy pop sound of “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke ft. T.I. and Pharrell Williams to the infectious beats of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams, these songs brought the party to life and kept us dancing till dawn.
Enhance your knowledge of the music highlights from 2013 that you should be aware of.
Album of the Year
Mumford & Sons’ soul-stirring alternative album “Babel” resonated deeply with fans in 2013, securing them the coveted Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Song of the Year
In 2013, the band Fun., accompanied by the talented Janelle Monáe, celebrated their win of the Grammy Award for Song of the Year with their anthemic track “We Are Young.”
Best New Artist
Fun’s catchy pop anthems and energetic performances earned them the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2013, making them a staple of the pop music scene.
Eurovision Song Contest Winner
The 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, the 58th edition, took place in Malmö, Sweden, capturing the attention of music enthusiasts worldwide.
Emmelie de Forest, a radiant singer from Denmark, emerged victorious with her ethereal song “Only Teardrops,” captivating the audience with her mesmerizing voice.
2013 in Numbers
Are you ready for some interesting number facts? Well, here goes! If you ever wondered how to write 2013 in Roman numerals, it’s MMXIII, where M stands for 1000, X is 10, and I is 1. And when converted to binary, 2013 becomes 11111011101.
Chinese Zodiac 2013
According to the Chinese calendar, 2013 was not only the Year of the Snake, but the Year of the Earth Snake. This cycle happens once every sixty years.
Because the Chinese calendar is different than ours, the Year of the Water Snake actually began on February 10th, and continued until January 30, 2014.
The Snake symbolizes individuals who are wise, intuitive, and graceful. They have a deep understanding of human nature and are excellent at keeping secrets, making them great confidants and advisors.
Tom Brady, John Cena and Kanye West are notable figures who were born in the Years of the Snake!
2013 Trivia
Did you know that Grand Theft Auto V earned over $800 million in sales within its first 24 hours of release in September 2013?
The game was launched on September 17, 2013, and also achieved an impressive Guinness World Record.
GTA V secured the title for “Fastest Entertainment Property to Gross $1 Billion,” accomplishing this remarkable feat in just three days after its release.