Tunnels, Twirls, and the World Wide Web!
Welcome to November 13th, a day where amazing new pathways opened up—literally and digitally! We're diving into history to see when a huge underground tunnel linked two major cities, when a Disney classic wowed audiences, and when the very first page of the internet was typed. Get ready for some awesome historical deep dives!
Did you know that on this day, you could travel *under* the Hudson River for the first time, while on another November 13th, the *entire world* started connecting online? From brilliant engineering feats to world-changing digital beginnings, November 13th has some serious 'firsts' that still shape our lives today!
What Happened on This Day
The Day of St. Brice's Massacre
Imagine an entire group of people being ordered to leave or be killed—that’s what happened on this day in England! King Æthelred II gave the terrible order to kill all the Danes living there. This sad event is remembered as the St. Brice's Day massacre. It shows how much conflict and tension existed between different groups even a thousand years ago. It's a somber reminder of the deep-rooted rivalries in early medieval history.
American Revolutionaries Capture Montreal
During the [American Revolution for Kids], George Washington needed a win! His troops, led by Colonel Ethan Allen and General Richard Montgomery, surprised the British by attacking Montreal, Canada. It seemed like a bold success at first, but the British General Carleton managed to hold on. While the Patriots eventually had to retreat, this attempt showed the Americans were serious about expanding the fight beyond the original colonies!
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The Holland Tunnel Opens Under the River!
Forget bridges! This was a massive step in transportation history. The Holland Tunnel opened, becoming the very first underwater vehicle tunnel connecting New York City and New Jersey under the mighty Hudson River. Think about that—digging deep under all that water! It was an engineering marvel for its time, letting cars zoom from state to state without getting their tires wet. Today, millions of vehicles use it every year!
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Disney's *Fantasia* Debuts on the Big Screen
Get ready for some serious cartoons! Walt Disney released his amazing, breakthrough animated film *Fantasia* on this day. It wasn't just a regular movie; it was a musical adventure where incredible animation was set to famous classical music, like Bach and Beethoven. It was revolutionary, using brand-new sound technology to make the music swirl around the audience. This film showed the world that animation could be serious, amazing art!
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The First Web Page is Written!
The internet as you know it began with a single page! On this day, Tim Berners-Lee, working at CERN, created the very first webpage. It was super simple—mostly text explaining what the World Wide Web (WWW) was all about. Imagine, no videos, no selfies, just pure information sharing! This simple text page was the seed that grew into the giant, sprawling digital world you use for school, games, and everything else today.
Learn moreFun Facts About November 13
- On this day in 1865, the U.S. Treasury first issued gold certificates!
- Harvard and Yale played their first college football game with team uniforms on this date in 1875.
- Astronomer David Levy discovered his first comet on November 13, 1984.
- It's also World Kindness Day—a great day to do something nice for someone!
A Look Back in Time
November 13th has seen a huge mix of historical moments, from dark medieval conflicts like the St. Brice's Day massacre to the hopeful expansion of the American Revolution in 1775. As we move into the 20th century, the date reflects technological leaps—first moving *under* the ground with the Holland Tunnel (1927), then pushing boundaries in entertainment with Disney's *Fantasia* (1940). Finally, it marks the quiet beginning of the modern digital age with the first World Wide Web page (1990).
Born on This Day
Robert Louis Stevenson
This Scottish author sailed the world and wrote amazing adventure stories! He gave us classics like *Treasure Island* (with pirates!) and the spooky tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Even though he wasn't always healthy, he wrote until the very end.
Edward III of England
Edward III was a King of England known for leading his country into the Hundred Years' War against France. He was a powerful ruler who loved tournaments and knights. He made some big changes to how England was governed, making Parliament much more important.
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Whoopi Goldberg
This super-talented actress, comedian, and TV host is famous for being one of the few people to win an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy, AND a Tony Award (EGOT status)! She’s known for being funny, smart, and speaking her mind on shows like *The View*.
Garry Marshall
Garry Marshall was a fantastic TV creator who brought us some of the most beloved shows ever! He created *Happy Days*, which was all about the 1950s, and *Laverne & Shirley*. He had a real knack for making funny, warm stories that everyone wanted to watch.