This Day in History - April 13th

1997: Tiger Woods wins his first Masters

On April 13 1997, American golfer Tiger Woods, at 21 years old, becomes the youngest winner of the prestigious Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Woods won his first professional golf championship by 12 strokes, the largest margin of victory in Masters history. Of Asian and African descent, the entry of Woods into professional play electrified golf, winning throngs of new fans to the sport. By the end of 1997, Tiger was ranked No. 1 in the world, and in 2000, at the age of 24, he became the youngest player ever to win all four major golf titles: the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the British Open.

Also On This Day

2005

The Prime Minister of Lebanon, Omar Karami, resigns after failing to form a government.

2005

The European Parliament votes to allow Bulgaria and Romania to join the European Union in 2007.

1992

In Britain, the leader of the Labour Party Neil Kinnock resigns.

1990

The Soviet government officially accepts blame for the Katyn Massacre, an incident that occurred during the Second World War, when nearly 5,000 Polish military officers were murdered and buried in mass graves in the Katyn Forest.

1975

A street battle in Beirut, which leaves 17 people dead heralds the start of the Lebanese Civil War.

1964

In America, actor Sydney Poitier becomes the first black man to win an Oscar. Poitier won the award for Best Actor for the film, “The Lillies Of The Field.”

1943

The Jefferson Memorial is dedicated in Washington D. C., America.

1941

The Second World War: The Soviet Union and Japan sign a non-aggression pact.

1919

379 unarmed demonstrators are massacred by British and Gurkha troops in the Indian city of Amritsar.

1919

During the Japanese occupation of Korea, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea – the government in exile – is formed.

1918

The First World War: Germany seizes control of the Finish capital Helsinki.

1829

In England, The Catholic Relief Act receives Royal Accent, granting religious freedom to Roman Catholics.

1742

Handel’s Messiah premiers in Dublin, Ireland.

1598

The Edict of Nantes is issued by Henry IV of France, granting freedom of religion to the Huguenots.

1111

Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor.