1743. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and America’s 3rd president, is born in the Virginia colony.

1986. In Rome, Pope John Paul II becomes the first pontiff to officially visit a synagogue. It’s one of John Paul’s most visible moves to improve the Catholic Church’s relationship with Jews.

1964. Sidney Poitier is the first black performer in a leading role to win an Oscar for his role in Lilies of the Field.

And 1997. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of, I think any golfer was a kid always dreamed of playing the Masters and winning, and I was able to do that.” 21-year-old Tiger Woods becomes the youngest player to win the Masters Tournament. Woods is also the first people of either African-American or Asian heritage to win the Masters. Today in History, April 13th. Sandy Kozel, the Associated Press