On this day: July 13
Man Survives Railroad Spike Through Skull in 1848 Accident
On July 13, 1848, a worker survived a railroad spike driven through his skull in an industrial accident; the incident drew contemporary attention for both its horror and the rudimentary medical care that followed.
1848 Railroad Spike Accident: Man Survives Spike Through Skull
In July 1848 a construction accident reportedly left a man with a railroad spike driven through his skull; contemporaneous accounts describe immediate shock and survival long enough to reach medical care, though details and names vary among reports.
Chicago’s 1995 Heat Wave: One of the Deadliest in the City’s History
In mid-July 1995, Chicago endured an extreme heat wave that led to a sharp rise in deaths and exposed vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure and social services. The event prompted changes in public health responses and emergency planning.
New York City Blackout of July 13, 1977: Widespread Outages and Civil Unrest
On July 13–14, 1977, a citywide power failure plunged New York City into darkness, triggering widespread looting, arson, and disruptions to transit and services amid an already fraught economic and social climate.
NASA Suspends Shuttle Flights After Safety Concerns
Following safety issues identified in July 2005, NASA delayed space shuttle launches to review inspection and repair procedures, focusing on concerns about foam debris and external tank integrity.