It happened today
On June 13th – but some have also proposed the 10th – of 323 BC, in Babylon, Alexander the Great died. The great ruler and leader was just 33 years old but had managed to conquer one of the largest empires in history. Much has been discussed about his death and there are various hypotheses, from poisoning (from strychnine or arsenic) to malaria. One of the latest theories, proposed by a Greek scholar, is that what killed Alexander was pancreatic necrosis, favored by very heavy meals and abundant consumption of wine. In short, he ate and drank a little too much. In even more mysterious circumstances, on June 13, 1886, another famous ruler passed away. Ludwig II of Bavaria drowned in Lake Starnberg, even though he was a good swimmer. The day before he had been deposed and arrested, as he was considered mentally unstable (like other members of his house, such as his beloved cousin Sissi). He certainly went on shopping sprees: among other things, he left the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein to posterity. (Luigi Gaetani)
Born of the day
James Clerk Maxwell, 13 June 1831, Scottish physicist and mathematician
Fernando Pessoa, 13 June 1888, Portuguese poet and writer
Paavo Nurmi, 13 June 1897, Finnish middle-distance runner and steeplechaser
John Nash, June 13, 1928, American mathematician and economist
Emmanuel Milingo, 13 June 1930, Zambian Catholic archbishop
Ban Ki-moon, 13 June 1944, South Korean politician, diplomat and senior United Nations official
Michele Zarrillo, 13 June 1957, singer-songwriter and musician
Chris Evans, June 13, 1981, American actor, director and film producer
DJ Snake, 13 June 1986, French disc jockey and record producer
Deaths of the day
Martin Buber, 13 June 1965, Austrian philosopher, theologian and pedagogist
Demetrio Stratos, 13 June 1979, Greek naturalized Italian singer, multi-instrumentalist and musicologist
Alfredino Rampi, 13 June 1981, Italian child fell into a well in Vermicino (Rome)
Saint of the day
Saint Anthony of Padua, Portuguese religious belonging to the Franciscan Order. He traveled extensively, living between Portugal, Italy and France. In 1221, he met Saint Francis of Assisi in person and later left for Forlì, where he established himself as a preacher. Saint Francis himself was then sent to France in an attempt to counter the Cathars and their heresy. He died young at 35.
