This day in history

[August 13, 2009]  (AP)  Today is Thursday, Aug. 13, the 225th day of 2009. 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 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, King Louis XIII of France appointed 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 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 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 Texas Congressman Mickey Leland and 14 other people -- there were no survivors.

Ten years ago: Gunmen shot to death Colombian humorist Jaime Garzon in a killing that authorities later blamed on the leader of the country's right-wing paramilitary.

Five years ago: A stronger-than-expected Hurricane Charley roared ashore Florida's Gulf Coast as a dangerous Category 4 storm, resulting in at least ten 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., two days short of her 92nd birthday.

One year 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.

Today's birthdays: Former Cuban President Fidel Castro is 83. Actor Pat Harrington is 80. Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 76. Actor Kevin Tighe is 65. Actress Gretchen Corbett is 62. Opera singer Kathleen Battle is 61. High wire aerialist Philippe Petit is 60. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke is 60. Comedian-writer Tom Davis is 57. Golf Hall of Famer Betsy King is 54. Movie director Paul Greengrass is 54. Actor Danny Bonaduce is 50. TV host/weatherman Sam Champion (TV: "Good Morning America") is 48. Actress Dawnn Lewis is 48. Actor John Slattery is 47. Actress Quinn Cummings is 42. Actress Seana Kofoed is 39. Country singer Andy Griggs is 36. Country musician Mike Melancon (Emerson Drive) is 31. Actress Kathryn Fiore is 30. Pop-rock singer James Morrison is 25.

Thought for today: "It is always too late, or too little, or both. And that is the road to disaster." -- David Lloyd George, English statesman (1863-1945)

[Associated Press]

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