On This Day in History, December 13

2003 Saddam Hussein Captured

Saddam Hussein, the fifth president of Iraq was found hiding in a spider hole and was captured by American forces near Tikrit, Iraq. The military operation that led to his capture was called Operation Red Dawn. He was subsequently handed over to the interim Iraqi government. After a trial where he was found guilty of crimes against humanity, he was executed 3 years after his capture in December, 2006.

2001 Attack on Indian parliament

The Indian parliament, the Sansad, was attacked by terrorists. 15 people, including the terrorists were killed during the attack.

1972 Last human landing on the Moon

Apollo 17 was the last mission of the United States' Apollo lunar landing program. It was also the sixth and the last time humans landed on the Moon.

1795 Meteorite crashes into Wold Newton in Yorkshire, England.

1642 First European to Reach New Zealand

Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer and merchant reached the coast of South Island in New Zealand, and named it Staten Landt. Tasman was also the first European in recorded history to step foot on Tasmania, an island state in Australia. Tasman claimed the island for the Dutch crown. It is named after him as well.

1989 Taylor Swift

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actress

1948 Ted Nugent

American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor

1936 Aga Khan IV

Swiss/French 49th Nizari Ismaili Imam

1902 Talcott Parsons

American sociologist

1818 Mary Todd Lincoln

American wife of Abraham Lincoln, 17th First Lady of the United States

2010 Richard Holbrooke

American journalist, banker, diplomat, 22nd United States Ambassador to the United Nations

2005 Stanley Williams

American gang leader, co-founded the Crips

1944 Wassily Kandinsky

Russian/French painter

1784 Samuel Johnson

English author, lexicographer

1204 Maimonides

Spanish rabbi, philosopher