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Good Morning! It’s Monday, January 13, 2025.  I am Dom Einhorn, your lead curator, and here are your insights into what makes this day in history relevant today. First time reading? Join our community of intellectually curious readers who explore the history behind every day. [Sign up here]

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Today in History

Marquee Event of the Day

> January 13, 1950: Soviets boycott United Nations Security Council.

For the second time in a week, Jacob Malik, the Soviet representative to the United Nations, storms out of a meeting of the Security Council, this time in reaction to the defeat of his proposal to expel the Nationalist Chinese representative. At the same time, he announced the Soviet Union’s intention to boycott further Security Council meetings.

Why this matters: The Soviet boycott of the United Nations Security Council in 1950, in protest of the council's recognition of Taiwan instead of Communist China, marked a pivotal moment in Cold War diplomacy. By absenting itself, the Soviet Union inadvertently allowed the council to pass Resolution 83, which authorized military intervention in Korea under U.S. leadership. This decision set a precedent for the Security Council's ability to act in the absence of a veto, illustrating the critical role of presence and participation in international diplomacy. Today, under Vladimir Putin, Russia's use of its Security Council seat as a platform to block actions contrary to its interests highlights the enduring importance of this body in global geopolitics. The Soviet boycott serves as a historical reminder of the stakes involved when major powers disengage or misuse their influence within international institutions.

Find out how much you know about the United Nations with this special quiz.

Notable Events

• January 13, 1929 - Nearly 50 years after the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp passes away peacefully in Los Angeles at age 80.

• January 13, 1966 - President Lyndon B. Johnson appoints Robert C. Weaver as the first African American cabinet member, heading the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

• January 13, 1997 - Ecuador's President Abdalá Bucaram made the first official visit to Peru by an Ecuadorian leader in 150 years, meeting President Alberto Fujimori.

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Knowledge Gamified

A recent New York Weekly article featured Dom Einhorn’s attempt to “Revolutionize Quizzing and Hyper-Targeted Advertising.” For transparency, Intelligent Games is the parent company of both the KRONIKL newsletter and Masters of Trivia, the quiz platform linked to many topics featured in this newsletter. An excerpt of the article reads:

Einhorn points to the company’s slogan to explain the value of Masters of Trivia’s platform. “Our slogan is ‘Knowledge Gamified’ and not ‘Gamified Knowledge’ for a good reason,” he explains. “We aim to educate and inform first and foremost, but we also know that most people need to be deeply engaged in the learning process. Hence, we added a heavy dose of entertainment and incentives to the mix.”

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Echoes in Time

Here are two events from January 13 that continue to resonate in the present day.

1. Event: January 13, 1129 - At the Council of Troyes, Pope Honorius II formally sanctioned the Knights Templar, proclaiming them an army of God.

Lasting Significance: The papal sanction granted to the Knights Templar at the Council of Troyes in 1129 established them as one of the most powerful and influential military orders of the medieval period, symbolizing the Church's role in uniting faith and warfare during the Crusades. However, the later persecution and dissolution of the Templars in 1312, now acknowledged by the modern Catholic Church as unjust and influenced by secular rulers like King Philip IV of France, highlights the dangers of political interference in religious institutions. This admission underscores the historical misuse of power and serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and accountability within both secular and religious authorities. 

2. Event: January 13, 1898 - Émile Zola's “J'accuse” published.

Lasting Significance: Émile Zola’s open letter, famously titled J’Accuse…!, had a profound and lasting impact on history by bringing international attention to the Dreyfus Affair, a case that exposed deep-rooted antisemitism and corruption in French society. The publication not only rallied public opinion in favor of justice for Alfred Dreyfus but also highlighted the importance of a free press in holding power to account. It played a pivotal role in reshaping ideas of justice, equality, and civil rights in France and beyond. The Dreyfus Affair became a watershed moment for the modern human rights movement and continues to serve as a cautionary tale against prejudice and abuses of power.

In the Spotlight

Birthdays, Passings & Milestones
Highlighting the influential figures who were born or died on this day, along with their legacies.

• January 13, 1990 - Douglas Wilder becomes the first African American elected governor of a U.S. state, taking office in Virginia, USA.

• January 13, 1842 - A British army doctor reaches Jalalabad, the sole survivor of a 16,000-strong force massacred retreating from Kabul.

• January 13, 1832- Horatio Alger, a popular and influential American author of the late 19th century, was born.

Science & Discovery

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• January 13, 1942 - American industrialist Henry Ford patents a method for constructing automobiles using plastic.

• January 13, 1610 - Galileo Galilei discovers Callisto, Jupiter’s fourth moon.

• January 13, 1863 - William Canter patents the chenille yarn-making machine in New York City.

• January 13, 1888 - The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C., to promote the advancement and sharing of geographic knowledge.

Today in Finance

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Curated reads and interesting tidbits from the world of finance.

• January 13, 1984 - TV anchor Christine Craft wins $325,000 in her case against KMBC-TV

• January 13, 1985 - The Cerebral Palsy telethon raises $17.1 million.

• January 13, 1920 - Microsoft chairman Bill Gates steps down as CEO, appointing company president Steve Ballmer as his successor.

• January 13, 2016 - Record Powerball lottery held in America - $1.6 billion (3 winning tickets).

Today in Sports

Brought to you by The Hunslet Wolves, a new UK-based rugby franchise coached by the former defensive head coach of the French National Team, David Ellis.

• January 13, 1995 - America3 (pronounced "America Cubed"), an all-female sailing team, won the first race of the America’s Cup defender trials, defeating Team Dennis Conner by just over a minute.

• January 13, 1986 - NCAA schools adopt Proposition 48, requiring minimum grades and test scores for freshmen student-athletes.

• January 13, 1919 - Dutch football/soccer team OSV Amsterdam forms.

• January 13, 1962 - Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 73 points in the Warriors' 135-117 win over the Chicago Packers, setting the record for most points in an NBA regulation game at the time, now tied for the third-highest total.

In the Arts Today

• January 13, 1968 - Amid personal struggles and a declining music career, Johnny Cash performed for inmates at California’s Folsom Prison. The concert and resulting live album revitalized his career, propelling him back onto the charts and redefining his legacy.

• January 13, 1941 - James Joyce, often considered Ireland’s greatest author, dies in Zurich at 58. Renowned for his brilliance, his masterpiece Ulysses is hailed as one of the greatest works in English literature.

• January 13, 1848 - Lilla Cabot Perry was born on this day. Perry was an American Impressionist painter known for her vivid landscapes, portraits, and her role in promoting Impressionism in the United States.

The Rest of the Story

• January 13, 1939 - Arthur “Doc” Barker is killed during an escape attempt from Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco Bay.

• January 13, 1982 - An Air Florida Boeing 737 crashes into the Potomac River near the White House, killing 78 people.

• January 13, 1908 - Henri Farman becomes the first to complete a witnessed flight circuit over 1 km, earning the Grand Prix d'Aviation.

Quote of the Day

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Why KRONIKL? Inspired by the timeless concept of chronicles, KRONIKL is dedicated to bringing you the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories from this date. Culture, science, politics, and more — all condensed for a quick, insightful read that connects your present with our past.

*Disclosure: Masters of Trivia is a quiz platform founded by Dom Einhorn and owned by Intelligent Games LLC—the same company that brings you the KRONIKL newsletter.