Today in History
Today is Monday, Aug. 13, the 225th day of 2018. There are 140 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On August 13, 1961, East Germany sealed off the border between Berlin’s eastern and western sectors before building a wall that would divide the city for the next 28 years.
On this date:
In 1521, Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured Tenochtitlan, present-day Mexico City, from the Aztecs.
In 1792, French revolutionaries imprisoned the royal family.
In 1846, the American flag was raised for the first time in Los Angeles.
In 1910, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, died in London at age 90.
In 1932, Adol/f Hitler rejected the post of vice chancellor of Germany, saying he was prepared to hold out “for all or nothing.”
In 1942, Walt Disney’s animated feature “Bambi” had its U.S. premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York, five days after its world premiere in London. In 1969, the animated short, “Bambi Meets Godzilla,” at less than 2 minutes, ends predictably. It’s also considered a classic.
In 1960, the first two-way telephone conversation by satellite took place with the help of Echo 1. The Central African Republic became totally independent of French rule.
In 1967, the crime caper biopic “Bonnie and Clyde,” starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, had its U.S. premiere; the movie, directed by Arthur Penn, was considered shocking as well as innovative for its graphic portrayal of violence.
In 1979, Lou Brock of the St. Louis Cardinals became the 14th player in major league baseball history to reach the 3,000th career hit plateau as his team defeated the Chicago Cubs, 3-2.
In 1981, in a ceremony at his California ranch, President Ronald Reagan signed a historic package of tax and budget reductions.
In 1989, searchers in Ethiopia found the wreckage of a plane which had disappeared almost a week earlier while carrying Rep. Mickey Leland, D-Texas, and 14 other people — there were no survivors.
In 2003, Iraq began pumping crude oil from its northern oil fields for the first time since the start of the war. Libya agreed to set up a $2.7 billion fund for families of the 270 people killed in the 1988 Pan Am bombing.
Ten years ago: A man barged into the Arkansas Democratic headquarters in Little Rock and opened fire, killing state party chairman Bill Gwatney before speeding off in a pickup. (Police later shot and killed the gunman, Timothy Dale Johnson.) Michael Phelps swam into history as the winningest Olympic athlete ever with his 10th and 11th career gold medals. Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly, then swam the leadoff of a runaway victory by the U.S. 800 freestyle relay team. Sandy Allen, who was recognized as the world’s tallest female at 7 feet, 7 inches tall, died in Shelbyville, Ind., at age 53.
Five years ago: Israel released 26 Palestinian inmates, many convicted in grisly killings, on the eve of long-stalled peace talks, angering families of those killed by the prisoners. Tompall Glaser, 79, a country music singer, publisher and studio owner best known for his association with the outlaw movement against record labels, died in Nashville.
One year ago: In a statement, the White House said President Donald Trump “very strongly” condemns individual hate groups such as “white supremacists, KKK and neo-Nazis;” the statement followed criticism of Trump for blaming the previous day’s deadly violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on “many sides.” Protesters decrying hatred and racism converged around the country, saying they felt compelled to respond to the white supremacist rally in Virginia. Actor, director and writer Joe Bologna died at the age of 82.
Today’s Birthdays: Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 85. Actor Kevin Tighe is 74. Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is 72. Opera singer Kathleen Battle is 70. High wire aerialist Philippe Petit is 69. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke is 69. Golf Hall of Famer Betsy King is 63. Movie director Paul Greengrass is 63. Actor Danny Bonaduce is 59. TV weatherman Sam Champion is 57. Actress Dawnn (correct) Lewis is 57. Actor John Slattery is 56. Actress Debi Mazar is 54. Actress Quinn Cummings is 51. Actress Seana Kofoed is 48. Country singer Andy Griggs is 45. Actor Gregory Fitoussi is 42. Country musician Mike Melancon (Emerson Drive) is 40. Actress Kathryn Fiore is 39. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is 36. Actor Sebastian Stan is 36. Actor Eme Ikwuakor is 34. Pop-rock singer James Morrison is 34. Actress Lennon Stella is 19.
Thought for Today: “The great business of life is to be, to do, to do without, and to depart.” — John, Viscount Morley of Blackburn, English journalist (1838-1923).