TODAY IN HISTORY – 13 February

Mata Hari is arrested for spying.

Feb 13 1945

An estimated 135,000 people, mostly women and children, die in the firebombing of the 13th-century city of Dresden, a revenge bombing that had no real military justification.

Feb 13 1953

Transsexual Christine (formerly George) Jorgenson arrives in New York with much fanfare. She had had sex change operations performed in Denmark by Dr. Christian Hamburger, becoming the first successful surgical transgender. Upon return, she becomes a cabaret actress.

Feb 13 1959

The first Barbie Doll is introduced by Mattel in California.

Feb 13 1985

Japan’s New Amusement Business Control and Improvement Act comes into effect. The law brings an end to Japan’s innovative sex businesses (i.e., glory holes, strip bars, and public bondage), while protecting the traditional brothel industry. That’s an improvement?

Feb 13 1990

Male prostitute Kevin Lee Kite accuses Rev. Bruce Ritter, founder of Covenant House (a place for wayward boys) and a respected member of the Meese commision on Pornography, of paying for homosexual sex. An internal investigation by Covenant House reveals a pattern of sexual misconduct with underage boys going back 20 years, and revealed a relationship with a 15 year old boy going back 14 months. Superiors at the Franciscan Order had been aware of Ritter’s behavior patterns for some years, but did nothing.