Today is Saturday, Aug. 13, the 225th day of 2005. There are 140 days left in the year.
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 in order to halt the flight of refugees.
On this date:
In 1521, Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured present-day Mexico City from the Aztec Indians.
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 and Austrian forces over French and Bavarian soldiers.
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.
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 1946, author H.G. Wells died in London.
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: Baseball Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle died at a Dallas hospital of rapidly spreading liver cancer; he was 63.
Five years ago: On the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, 3,500 protesters demonstrated against police brutality and in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal, on death row for killing a Philadelphia police officer. Somalia swore in legislators for its first central government after almost a decade of internecine warfare.
One year ago: A stronger-than-expected Hurricane Charley roared ashore Florida’s Gulf Coast as a dangerous Category 4 storm, resulting in at least 10 U.S. deaths. Hutu marauders raided a U.N. refugee camp in western Burundi, shooting and hacking at least 150 Congolese Tutsis to death. The summer Olympic games officially opened in Athens. TV chef Julia Child died in Montecito, Calif., at age 91.
Today’s Birthdays: Television evangelist Rex Humbard is 86. Cuban President Fidel Castro is 79. Actor Pat Harrington is 76. Singer Don Ho is 75. Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 72. Actor Kevin Tighe is 61. Actress Gretchen Corbett is 58. Opera singer Kathleen Battle is 57. Singer Dan Fogelberg is 54. Actor Danny Bonaduce is 46. Actress Quinn Cummings is 38. Country singer Andy Griggs is 32. Country musician Mike Melancon (Emerson Drive) is 27.
Thought for Today: “It is always too late, or too little, or both. And that is the road to disaster.” — David Lloyd George, First Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, English statesman (1863-1945).