What happened on this day in history: Alexander the Great dies, the Supreme Court establishes Miranda rights, and more historical events from June 13th.
323 B.C.E.: Alexander The Great Dies
Wikimedia CommonsThe death of Alexander the Great, based on the painting by German artist Karl Theodor von Piloty.
Alexander the Great dies in Babylon (located in present-day Iraq). A fearsome military commander of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia, Alexander succeeded in establishing one of the largest empires in the ancient world. His cause of death is unknown, with some sources saying he died of malaria, and others suggesting that he was poisoned.
1381: The Peasants’ Revolt Enters London
Public DomainA depiction of King Richard II meeting with English peasants during the Peasants’ Revolt.
A mob of English peasants marches into London as part of the Peasants’ Revolt. Led by Wat Tyler, they burned and looted the city in protest of substandard rights for the lower classes. They even sacked the Tower of London and killed a number of royal officials.
However, during a meeting with King Richard II, the mayor of London became enraged at Tyler’s lack of respect and fatally stabbed him. The rest of the rebellion was soon suppressed.
1645: Miyamoto Mushashi Dies
Miyamoto Mushashi, famous Japanese swordsman and poet, dies in Higo Province.
1966: The U.S. Supreme Court Establishes “Miranda Rights”
The U.S. Supreme Court hands down its decision on Miranda v. Arizona, establishing that criminal suspects must be informed of their rights before interrogation. The decision came from the 1963 arrest of Ernesto Miranda, who gave a confession — which he later recanted — without knowing about his right to remain silent.
1977: Three Die In The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders
FacebookMichelle Guse, Lori Farmer, and Doris Milner.
Girl Scouts Lori Farmer, Michelle Guse, and Doris Milner are raped and murdered at Oklahoma’s Camp Scott. The girls, all between the ages of 8 and 10, were sharing a tent when they were viciously attacked during the night. To date, the so-called Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders are still unsolved, as the prime suspect was acquitted at trial in 1979.
