13 May in internet history

Things that can be dated to 13 May: the day something was posted, a record that changed hands, an event research has pinned to a date. Every entry links to where it was read.

1. 2019

   Another anonymous user replies with a description of the place and a name for it: the Backrooms. The Backrooms Wikipedia — The Backrooms

These did not happen on 13 May. They are shown because the day itself is thin, and each one carries its own date.

1. 10 May 2005

   The clip is linked from a World of Warcraft forum thread as “A Rough Go”, presented as a real raid gone wrong. Leeroy Jenkins Wikipedia — Leeroy Jenkins

2. 11 May 2005

   It is released on the site Warcraftmovies as “Leeroy!!”. Leeroy Jenkins Wikipedia — Leeroy Jenkins

3. 11 May 2008

   A documentary about the footage is first shown on the National Geographic Channel. Battle at Kruger Wikipedia — Battle at Kruger

4. 11 May 2023

   A widely watched copy is deleted from another channel after Brolsma threatens copyright strikes. He releases a remake that August. Numa Numa Wikipedia — Numa Numa (video)

5. 12 May 2019

   An anonymous 4chan user asks for disquieting images that feel “off”, and the photograph is posted. The Backrooms Wikipedia — The Backrooms

6. 14 May 2019

   She dies aged seven, of complications from a urinary tract infection. The family announces it three days later. Grumpy Cat Wikipedia — Grumpy Cat

7. 15 May 2007

   Shawn Cotter uploads the Astley video to YouTube as “Rickroll’D” and it is passed off as a link to the Grand Theft Auto IV trailer. This is the first known rickroll. Rickrolling Wikipedia — Rickrolling

8. 15 May 2014

   A cold-water challenge circulates in Salem, Indiana, one of several that had gone round for years with no fixed cause. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Wikipedia — Ice Bucket Challenge