Deaths on April 13

James Iredell, Jr., American lawyer and politician, 23rd Governor of North Carolina (b. 1788)

James Iredell Jr. (November 2, 1788 – April 13, 1853) was the 23rd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina between 1827 and 1828.

4 Jan

Twelve Years a Slave
After having been kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American South, Solomon Northup regains his freedom; his memoir Twelve Years a Slave later becomes a national bestseller.
19 Jan

Il trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi's opera Il trovatore receives its premiere performance in Rome.
14 Jul

Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations
Opening of the first major US world's fair, the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in New York City.
4 Oct

Crimean War
The Ottoman Empire declares war on the Russian Empire.
30 Nov

Battle of Sinop
Crimean War: Battle of Sinop: The Imperial Russian Navy under Pavel Nakhimov destroys the Ottoman fleet under Osman Pasha at Sinop, a sea port in northern Turkey.