1. In 1967, Newark, New Jersey experienced a devastating six day-long riot that resulted in 26 deaths, 725 injured, and nearly 1,500 buildings destroyed. Sparked by the beating of a black taxi driver by Newark police, the Newark Riot was one of the deadliest and most destructive riots in U.S. history.
2. On August 13, 1926, the world-famous inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla died in his room at the New Yorker Hotel in New York City. Born in 1856 in what is now modern-day Croatia, Tesla emigrated to the United States in 1884 and is known for his groundbreaking inventions such as the alternating current (AC) motor and wireless telecommunication.
3. In 1951, a massive flood hit central New Jersey following the passage of Hurricane Connie and Hurricane Diane. The floods resulted in 90 deaths, over $200 million in damages, and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. The damage to New Jersey's Lehigh Valley Railroad would ultimately lead to its bankruptcy in 1970.
4. In 1861, during the early days of the American Civil War, Union soldiers from the 15th New Jersey Infantry Regiment were ambushed by Confederate troops at the Battle of Independence in Missouri. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Union soldiers held their own and forced the Confederates to retreat. The battle was one of the first major engagements of the Civil War in which African American troops fought on both sides.
5. On August 13, 1982, the famous American poet Allen Ginsberg died in his apartment in New York City at the age of 70. Ginsberg was a leading figure of the Beat Generation and is known for his controversial works such as "Howl" and his activism for various causes, including anti-war efforts and LGBTQ+ rights. He was also a frequent visitor to New Jersey, teaching at Princeton University and serving as a guest speaker at various events throughout the state.
5 Fun Facts About August 13 In New Jersey History
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