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Which of Henry VIII's wives was executed on February 13th, 1542?

Catherine Howard. Henry was besotted with her, calling her his 'rose without a thorn'. But she was years younger than Henry and in love or at least having an affair with Thomas Culpepper. She was accussed of adultery and executed.

How did Tsar Alexander II die on March 13th (new style), 1881?

Bomb. The correspnding date Old Style is March 1st, 1881. Known for his liberation of the serfs 20 years earlier, Alexander was slow to shed his absolute power in favour of a constitutional monarchy. Three attempts on his life had failed. On March 13th a bomb exploded as his coach was passing. He was unhurt but emerged to see the destruction,when a second bomb mortally wounded him.

Which French city gave its name to a famous edict in 1598?

Nantes. Way ahead of its time the Edict of Nantes gave freedom of conscience to the Huguenots at a time when the rest of Europe was ensnared in bitter religious wars. It also ensured their safety, as 50 military strongholds, 'Places de Surete', were provided at the king's expense. The Huguenots were allowed a further 150 strongholds which they had to pay for themselves.

Pope John Paul II was assassinated on May 13th, 1981.

F. Mehmet Ali Aca attempted to kill the Pope, by shooting him as he was about to address pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. The Pope survived, later he visited his would be assassin in prison and forgave him.

In which country did 'The Miracle of the Sun' take place on May 13th, 1917?

Portugal. Summarising from contemporary Portuguese newspapers: the sun was an opaque spinning disk in the sky, it careened towards Earth in a zigzag pattern, showering coloured light everywhere. According to Catholic beliefs the Virgin Mary appeared at Fatima to three young children and made three promises. Many were sceptical but a huge crowd gathered to see what might happen. This event was seen as proof that what the children had said was true. A photo exists but is monochrome. Several theories exist to explain the phenomenon which was witnessed by thousands.

What natural disaster of November 13th, 1970 is regarded as the worst in the twentieth century?

Cyclone. Cyclone Bhola made landfall, in what is now Bangladesh, with wind speeds of 190kph. A tidal surge of up to 6 metres wrecked havoc. 500,000 died, most from drowning. A further 100,000 were never found. These shocking statistics are regarded by many as conservative.

Which German city was controversially fire bombed on February 13th, 1945?

Dresden. On the night of February 13/14, in two raids 1,478 tons of high explosives and 1,182 tons of incendiary devices were dropped by the RAF. The bombs were designed first to blow off the roofs and expose the timbers which would then ignite. 12,000 buildings, of which 19 were hospitals, were destroyed in the ensuing firestorm, . 25,000 - 35,000 died in that one night.

Name the French revolutionary murdered on July 13th, 1793 famously commemorated by Jacques Louis David.

Marat. Marat was murdered in his bath by Charlotte Corday. Four days later she was guillotined. David was a friend of Robespierre and a supporter of the revolution. When Napoleon came to power he switched allegiance. He is regarded by many as the greatest influence on French Salon painting in the nineteenth century.

The Golden Law (Lex Aurea) adopted on May 13th, 1888 abolished slavery in which of the following countries?

Brazil. A previous law of 1871 had freed the children of slaves. Both laws were sanctioned by Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil. For her work she was awarded the Golden Rose Medal by the Pope Leo XIII.

Which French king ordered the massacre of the Knights Templar on Friday 13th, 1307?

Philip IV. Philip was strapped for cash and approached the Knights Templar for a further loan. He was refused and ordered the arrest of all the knights, especially Jacques de Molay, the Grand Master. Under torture, most pleaded guilty to trumped up charges. De Molay was sentenced to be burned at the stake in Paris. From his funeral pyre he is believed to have cursed the French kings, 'Les Rois Maudits' and the Capetian line became extinct by 1328. Sources: Great Stories from History. Marsh & Carrick. Also Wikipedia trawl.