2013
Pope Francis elected
An Argentine Jesuit named Jorge Mario Bergoglio walked onto St. Peter's loggia, asked the crowd to bless him before he blessed them, and chose the name Francis.
Snowden revelations
An NSA contractor named Edward Snowden, hiding in a Hong Kong hotel room, gave The Guardian and The Washington Post the largest leak of intelligence documents…
Rana Plaza collapse
A poorly built eight-story garment factory outside Dhaka collapsed onto the seamstresses making clothes for Western brands…
Typhoon Haiyan flattens Tacloban
One of the most powerful storms ever recorded made landfall in the central Philippines with sustained winds over 195 mph and gusts approaching 235.
Maidan begins in Kyiv
After Ukraine's president Viktor Yanukovych abruptly declined to sign an association agreement with the European Union under heavy pressure from Moscow…
Boston Marathon bombing
Two pressure-cooker bombs detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three spectators and wounding hundreds more, many of whom lost limbs.
Want 2013 in context? Print the whole 21st century as a one-sheet timeline chart.
Frequently asked
What happened in the year 2013?
Saeculum lists 6 events from 2013. The most significant is Pope Francis elected: An Argentine Jesuit named Jorge Mario Bergoglio walked onto St. Peter's loggia, asked the crowd to bless him before he blessed them, and chose the name Francis.
What era was 2013 part of?
2013 falls within the Contemporary (2001-2026). Networks, climate, and the new uncertainty.
Which regions saw notable events in 2013?
The events from 2013 span Europe, North America, South Asia and Southeast Asia.