January 13

On January 13, 1888, a group of scientists, explorers, and scholars met in Washington, D.C. to establish the National Geographic Society. Their mission was to increase and disseminate geographic knowledge through research, expeditions, and publications. With 165 charter members, the society launched its flagship magazine a year later, renowned for groundbreaking photography and maps. Early sponsors funded Arctic, African, and Asian expeditions, expanding public awareness of global geography. Over time, the society grew into a leading institution supporting scientific research, conservation, and education worldwide. Its founding embodied the era's spirit of discovery and thirst for understanding the planet.

In January 1964, Calcutta experienced severe communal rioting between Hindu and Muslim communities following reports of anti-Hindu violence in East Pakistan. Mobs armed with crude weapons clashed in city streets, setting homes and businesses ablaze. The riots claimed around a hundred lives and displaced thousands more. Local authorities struggled to restore order amid escalating tensions and inadequate policing. The violence deepened mistrust between the two religious groups, exacerbating the longstanding communal divide. Political leaders on both sides condemned the unrest but were criticized for ineffective interventions. These events foreshadowed more widespread communal conflicts in the Indian subcontinent in subsequent decades.

On January 13, 1998, Italian writer and activist Alfredo Ormando doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire outside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Ormando had authored works criticizing the Catholic Church’s teachings on homosexuality and sought to highlight the plight of LGBT individuals. The dramatic protest shocked pilgrims and Vatican authorities alike. Despite emergency medical treatment, Ormando succumbed to his injuries two days later, on January 15. His self-immolation sparked global debate on human rights, religious doctrine, and the call for greater inclusivity within the Church, and he is commemorated annually by activists worldwide.

On January 13, 2018, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency sent an alert warning of an incoming ballistic missile threat to all residents via mobile phones and broadcast systems. The alert sparked widespread fear as people sought shelter and contacted loved ones, believing a nuclear strike was imminent. After 38 minutes, officials confirmed the warning was sent in error and reassured the public that there was no real danger. The incident was attributed to human error during a routine internal test, leading to the dismissal of key agency personnel. The false alarm highlighted weaknesses in emergency communication systems and prompted nationwide reviews of alert procedures.

On January 13, 2020, the Thai Ministry of Public Health announced that a 61-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan tested positive for the novel coronavirus. This case was the first confirmed COVID-19 infection detected outside mainland China. Thai health authorities swiftly initiated contact tracing, quarantine measures, and screening protocols at airports to contain further spread. The announcement underscored the virus's ability to cross borders rapidly and foreshadowed a worldwide pandemic. It led to increased international cooperation on disease surveillance and accelerated research on coronavirus transmission and treatment.