This Day In History: August 13

Today's Highlight in History:
On Aug. 13, 1961, Berlin was divided as East Germany sealed off the border between the city's eastern and western sectors and began building a wall in order to halt the flight of refugees.

On this date:
In 1521, Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured Tenochtitlan, present-day Mexico City, from the Aztecs.

In 1624, French King Louis XIII named Cardinal Richelieu his first minister.

In 1704, the Battle of Blenheim was fought during the War of the Spanish Succession, resulting in a victory for English-led forces over French and Bavarian soldiers.

In 1846, the American flag was raised for the first time in Los Angeles.

In 1889, William Gray of Hartford, Conn., received a patent for a coin-operated telephone.

In 1910, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, died in London at age 90.

In 1932, Adolf Hitler rejected the post of vice-chancellor of Germany, saying he was prepared to hold out "for all or nothing."

In 1934, the satirical comic strip "Li'l Abner," created by Al Capp, made its debut.

In 1960, the first two-way telephone conversation by satellite took place with the help of Echo 1.

In 1981, in a ceremony at his California ranch, President Reagan signed a historic package of tax and budget reductions.

Ten years ago: President Clinton led the nation in mourning 12 Americans killed in a pair of U.S. embassy bombings in Africa. Standing before black hearses carrying ten of the bodies, the president pledged to seek justice "for these evil acts."

Five years ago: 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 270 people killed in the 1988 Pan Am bombing.

One year ago: President Bush's political strategist, Karl Rove, announced his resignation. A bridge under construction in the ancient Chinese city of Fenghuang collapsed, killing 64 people. Two women among the 23 South Koreans kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan were freed. Philanthropist Brooke Astor died in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., at age 105. Hall of Fame Yankees shortstop and broadcaster Phil Rizzuto died in West Orange, N.J., at age 89.

Today's Birthdays: Former Cuban President Fidel Castro is 82. Actor Pat Harrington is 79. Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 75. Actor Kevin Tighe is 64. Actress Gretchen Corbett is 61. Opera singer Kathleen Battle is 60. Movie director Paul Greengrass is 53. Actor Danny Bonaduce is 49. TV host/weatherman Sam Champion ("Good Morning America") is 47. Actress Dawnn Lewis is 47. Actor John Slattery is 46. Actress Quinn Cummings is 41. Actress Seana Kofoed is 38. Country singer Andy Griggs is 35. Country musician Mike Melancon (Emerson Drive) is 30. Actress Kathryn Fiore is 29.

Thought for Today: "You should avoid making yourself too clear even in your explanations." — Baltasar Gracian, Spanish philosopher (1601-1658).

Source: Edwin1961 and the AP

This Week In Étudiant News (2007): I officially start a little weekly feature called "Songs of the Week," listing them by genre. The songs are later classified by decade. Merv Griffin died. Ben tells us that it is not cool to park in handicap spaces. Darfur asks for select countries to send troops.