This day in history

[August 13, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Friday, Aug. 13, the 225th day of 2010. There are 140 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Aug. 13, 1910, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, died in London at age 90.

On this date:

In 1521, Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured Tenochtitlan (teh-natch-teet-LAHN'), present-day Mexico City, from the Aztecs.

In 1624, King Louis XIII of France appointed Cardinal Richelieu (ree-shuh-LYOO') his first minister.

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

In 1860, legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley was born in Darke County, Ohio.

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. The Central African Republic became totally independent of French rule.

In 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 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 that had disappeared almost a week earlier while carrying Texas congressman Mickey Leland and 14 other people -- there were no survivors.

Ten 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.

Five years ago: The Pentagon said for the second time since the Iraq war began that it was replacing body armor for U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, citing a need for better protection. Former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange died in Auckland at age 63.

One year ago: The Philadelphia Eagles signed Michael Vick to a one-year deal, prompting criticism from animal rights activists over his role in a dogfighting ring. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth for the entire season after Stallworth served 24 days in jail for DUI manslaughter in the death of 59-year-old Mario Reyes in Miami. Guitar virtuoso Les Paul died in White Plains, N.Y. at 94.

Today's birthdays: Former Cuban President Fidel Castro is 84. Actor Pat Harrington is 81. Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 77. Actor Kevin Tighe is 66. Actress Gretchen Corbett is 63. Opera singer Kathleen Battle is 62. High wire aerialist Philippe Petit is 61. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke is 61. Comedian-writer Tom Davis is 58. Golf Hall of Famer Betsy King is 55. Movie director Paul Greengrass is 55. Actor Danny Bonaduce is 51. TV host/weatherman Sam Champion (TV: "Good Morning America") is 49. Actress Dawnn (correct) Lewis is 49. Actor John Slattery is 48. Actress Quinn Cummings is 43. Actress Seana Kofoed is 40. Country singer Andy Griggs is 37. Country musician Mike Melancon (Emerson Drive) is 32. Actress Kathryn Fiore is 31. Pop-rock singer James Morrison is 26.

Thought for today: "The great business of life is to be, to do, to do without, and to depart." -- John, Viscount (VY'-kownt) Morley of Blackburn, English journalist (1838-1923)

[Associated Press]

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