ON THIS DAY AUGUST 13 2023

This Day in History: August 13

Featured Event

2004


The Games of the XXVIII Olympiad opened in Athens, which had hosted the first modern Summer Games in 1896.



Athens 1896 Olympic Games

Athens 1896 Olympic Games, athletic festival held in Athens that took place April 6–15, 1896. The Athens Games were the first occurrence of the modern Olympic Games.
The inaugural Games of the modern Olympics were attended by as many as 280 athletes, all male, from 12 countries. The athletes competed in 43 events covering athletics (track and field), cycling, swimming, gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, fencing, shooting, and tennis. A festive atmosphere prevailed as foreign athletes were greeted with parades and banquets. A crowd estimated at more than 60,000 attended the opening day of competition. Members of the royal family of Greece played an important role in the organization and management of the Games and were regular spectators over the 10 days of the Olympics. Hungary sent the only national team; most of the foreign athletes were well-to-do college students or members of athletic clubs attracted by the novelty of the Olympics.

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Featured Biography

Alfred Hitchcock
English-born American director





Alfred Hitchcock, in full Sir Alfred Hitchcock, (born August 13, 1899, London, England—died April 29, 1980, Bel Air, California, U.S.), English-born American motion-picture director whose suspenseful films and television programs won immense popularity and critical acclaim over a long and tremendously productive career. His films are marked by a macabre sense of humour and a somewhat bleak view of the human condition.


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