This day in history

[September 13, 2011]  (AP)  Today is Tuesday, Sept. 13, the 256th day of 2011. There are 109 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Sept. 13, 1971, a four-day inmates' rebellion at the Attica Correctional Facility in western New York ended as police and guards stormed the prison; the ordeal and final assault claimed a total of 43 lives -- 32 inmates and 11 employees.

On this date:

In 1759, during the final French and Indian War, the British defeated the French on the Plains of Abraham overlooking Quebec City.

In 1788, the Congress of the Confederation authorized the first national election, and declared New York City the temporary national capital.

In 1803, Commodore John Barry, considered by many the father of the American Navy, died in Philadelphia.

In 1911, the song "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," a romantic rag by Nat D. Ayer and Seymour Brown, was first published by Jerome H. Remick & Co.

In 1948, Republican Margaret Chase Smith of Maine was elected to the U.S. Senate; she became the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress.

In 1959, Elvis Presley first met his future wife, 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, while stationed in West Germany with the U.S. Army. (They married in 1967, but divorced in 1973.)

In 1970, the first New York City Marathon was held; winner Gary Muhrcke finished the 26.2-mile run, which took place entirely inside Central Park, in 2:31:38.

In 1989, Fay Vincent was elected commissioner of Major League Baseball, succeeding the late A. Bartlett Giamatti (juh-MAH'-tee).

In 1993, at the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat shook hands after signing an accord granting limited Palestinian autonomy.

In 1996, rapper Tupac Shakur died at a Las Vegas hospital six days after he was wounded in a drive-by shooting; he was 25.

Ten years ago: Two days after the 9/11 terror attacks, the first few jetliners returned to the nation's skies, but several major airports remained closed and others opened only briefly. President George W. Bush visited injured Pentagon workers and said he would carry the nation's prayers to New York. Actress Dorothy McGuire died in Santa Monica, Calif., at age 85.

Five years ago: Gunman Kimveer Gill, 25, opened fire in a cafeteria at Dawson College in Montreal, Canada, slaying one student and wounding 19 before killing himself. Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards died in Austin, Texas, at age 73.

One year ago: Cuba announced it would cast off at least half a million state workers and reduce restrictions on private enterprise to help them find jobs. Japan freed 14 crew members of a Chinese fishing ship nearly a week after their vessel collided with two Japanese patrol boats near disputed southern islets. On the premiere of the 25th and final season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Winfrey announced the audience would receive trips to Australia. Rafael Nadal won his first U.S. Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, beating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

Today's birthdays: Actress Barbara Bain is 80. Actress Eileen Fulton ("As the World Turns") is 78. TV producer Fred Silverman is 74. Former White House spokesman Larry Speakes is 72. Actor Richard Kiel is 72. Rock singer David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears) is 70. Actress Jacqueline Bisset is 67. Singer Peter Cetera is 67. Actress Christine Estabrook is 61. Actress Jean Smart is 60. Singer Randy Jones (The Village People) is 59. Record producer Don Was is 59. Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. is 57. Actress-comedian Geri Jewell is 55. Country singer Bobbie Cryner is 50. Rock singer-musician Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) is 50. Radio-TV personality Tavis Smiley is 47. Rock musician Zak Starkey is 46. Actor Louis Mandylor is 45. Olympic gold medal runner Michael Johnson is 44. Rock musician Steve Perkins is 44. Actor Roger Howarth is 43. Actress Louise Lombard is 41. Tennis player Goran Ivanisevic (ee-van-EE'-seh-vihch) is 40. Country singer Aaron Benward (Blue County) is 38. Country musician Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts) is 36. Actor Scott Vickaryous is 36. Singer Fiona Apple is 34. Contemporary Christian musician Hector Cervantes (Casting Crowns) is 31. MLB pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (DYS'-kay maht-soo-ZAH'-kah) is 31. Actor Ben Savage is 31. Actor Mitch Holleman ("Reba") is 16.

Thought for today: "'Be yourself' is about the worst advice you can give to some people." -- J.B. Priestley, British novelist (born this date in 1894, died 1984)

[Associated Press]

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