What major events are listed for November 13 in history?

The entries include the 1956 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that racial segregation on buses in Alabama was unconstitutional, Voyager 1’s 1980 close-up pictures of Saturn, and the 1985 Nevado del Ruiz eruption in Colombia. They also include Franklin’s 1789 letter, a 1933 Hormel meatpackers’ strike, Guzmán’s 2018 trial and Eminem’s release of “Lose Yourself.”

What happened during the 1985 Nevado del Ruiz eruption in Colombia?

The volcano erupted in 1985, killing 25,000 people in the town of Armero.

Why is Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” noted in the November 13 history entries?

Eminem released the single from the 8 Mile soundtrack, and it was the first rap song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

FRIDAY, Nov. 13, 2026

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Summary

Today in History for Friday, Nov. 13, recalls events including the 1956 U.S. Supreme Court ruling against racial segregation on buses in Alabama and Voyager 1’s 1980 close-up images of Saturn. The date also marks Benjamin Franklin’s 1789 letter mentioning death and taxes, a 1933 Hormel meatpackers’ sit-down strike and the 1985 Nevado del Ruiz eruption in Colombia. Other entries include the start of Joaquín Guzmán’s trial in 2018 and Eminem’s release of “Lose Yourself.”

Key Facts

Franklin wrote to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy in 1789 that “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
The Hormel meatpackers’ action in Austin, Minnesota, in 1933 was described as the first modern sit-down strike.
The 1985 Nevado del Ruiz eruption killed 25,000 people in the town of Armero, Colombia.
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s New York trial began in 2018, with charges including drug trafficking, money laundering and murder.
Eminem released “Lose Yourself” from the 8 Mile soundtrack; it became the first rap song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Published Nov 12, 2026 11:10 am KST

1789-In a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, Benjamin Franklin writes "in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes"

1933-First modern sit-down strike by Hormel meatpackers in Austin, Minnesota

1956-US Supreme Court rules racial segregation on buses in Alabama unconstitutional

1993-7.1 seaquake east of Kamchatka

1980-U.S. spacecraft Voyager 1 sends back first close-up pictures of Saturn during its fly-by

1985-Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupts in Colombia, killing 25,000 in the town of Armero

2018-Trial of Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán begins in New York, he is charged with drug trafficking, money laundering, and murder

2002-Eminem releases the single "Lose Yourself" from the soundtrack of "8 Mile", the first rap song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song

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