This Day in History: March 13

624: Battle of Badr

In this significant battle, Muhammad's Muslim forces achieve victory over the Meccan army. This marks a turning point in the early days of Islam and solidifies Muhammad's position as a leader.

1591: Battle at Tondibi

Moroccan army under Judar [Jawdar] defeats Sultan Askia Ishaq II of Songhai in this battle, which marks the end of the Songhai Empire and the beginning of Moroccan control in West Africa.

1781: Discovery of Uranus

Astronomer William Herschel spots what he initially believes to be a comet but is actually the discovery of the planet Uranus, expanding our understanding of the solar system.

1884: Siege of Khartoum begins

Mahdist forces begin a 10-month siege of Khartoum, Sudan, which ultimately results in the death of British General Charles Gordon and the fall of the city to the Mahdists.

1903: Fall of the Sokoto Caliphate

The British claim supremacy over more than 500,000 square miles of Northern Nigeria after the Sokoto Caliphate falls. This marks a significant event in the colonization of Africa.

1930: Discovery of Pluto

American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh announces the discovery of Pluto at the Lowell Observatory, expanding our knowledge of the outer reaches of the solar system.

2003: Footprints of early humans found in Italy

The journal Nature reports the discovery of 350,000-year-old footprints of upright-walking humans in Italy, providing new insights into the evolution of human beings.

2019: Boeing 737 Max grounded

Following two crashes involving the aircraft, the United States grounds all Boeing 737 Max planes, with other countries also banning the plane type. This event marks a significant moment in aviation safety.