July 13

587 BC – Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem ends following the destruction of Solomon’s Temple.

100 BC – Julius Caesar is born in Rome.

1787 – The Congress of the Confederation (under the Articles of Confederation), enacts the Northwest Ordinance establishing governing rules for the Northwest Territory (Northwest, that is of the Ohio River)

1863 – In New York City, opponents of conscription begin 3 days of rioting

1973 – Alexander Butterfield reveals the existence of a secret White House Oval Office taping system to the Senate Watergate Committee

1977 – New York City experiences an electrical blackout lasting nearly 24 hours

2008 – The Battle of Wanat begins when Taliban and al-Qaeda guerrillas attack US Army and Afghan National Army troops in Afghanistan. SSG Ryan Pitts is later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.