HISTORY TODAY: September 13

2007 The United Nations adopts a non-binding
resolution declaring the rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples

''Knowing the past, we can make wise 

choices for a brighter, and more positive future.''

1515		King Francis of France defeats the Swiss army under Cardinal Matthaus Schiner at Marignano, northern Italy.
1549		Pope Paul III closes the first session of the Council of Bologna.
1564		On the verge of attacking Pedro Menendez’s Spanish settlement at San Agostin, Florida, Jean Ribault’s French fleet is scattered by a devastating storm.
1759		British troops defeat the French on the plains of Abraham, in Quebec.
1774		Anne Robert Turgot, the new controller of finances, urges the king of France to restore the free circulation of grain in the kingdom.
1782		The British fortress at Gibraltar comes under attack by French and Spanish forces.
1788		The Constitutional Convention authorizes the first federal election resolving that electors in all the states will be appointed on January 7, 1789.
1789		Guardsmen in Orleans, France, open fire on rioters trying to loot bakeries, killing 90.
1846		General Winfield Scott takes Chapultepec, removing the last obstacle to U.S. troops moving on Mexico City.
1862		Union troops in Frederick, Maryland, discover General Robert E. Lee‘s attack plans for the invasion of Maryland wrapped around a pack of cigars. They give the plans to General George B. McClellan who sends the Army of the Potomac to confront Lee but only after a delay of more than half a day.
1863		The Loudoun County Rangers route a company of Confederate cavalry at Catoctin Mountain in Virginia.
1905		U.S. warships head to Nicaragua on behalf of American William Albers, who was accused of evading tobacco taxes.
1918		U.S. and French forces take St. Mihiel, France in America’s first action as a standing army.
1945		Iran demands the withdrawal of Allied forces.
1951		In Korea, U.S. Army troops begin their assault in Heartbreak Ridge. The month-long struggle will cost 3,700 casualties.
1961		An unmanned Mercury capsule is orbited and recovered by NASA in a test.
1976		The United States announces it will veto Vietnam’s UN bid.
1988		Hurricane Gilbert becomes the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, based on barometric pressure. Hurricane Wilma will break that record in 2005.
1993		The Oslo Accords, granting limited Palestinian autonomy, are signed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat at the White House.
2007		The UN adopts a non-binding Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
2008		Five synchronized bomb blasts occur in crowded locations of Delhi, India, killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 100; four other bombs are defused.
2008		Hurricane Ike makes landfall in Texas; it had already been the most costly storm in Cuba’s history and becomes the third costliest in the US.
Born on September 13
1847		Milton Hershey, founder of the famous candy company.
1851		Walter Reed, U.S. Army doctor who discovered a cure for yellow fever.
1860		John J. Pershing, “Black Jack” who led the campaign against Pancho Villa in Mexico and Commanded the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I.
1863		Franz von Hipper, German naval commander at the Battle of Jutland in World War I.
1886		Alain Locke, writer and first African-American Rhodes scholar.
1894		John B. Priestley, British novelist and playwright.
1903		Claudette Colbert, actress who won an Oscar for It Happened One Night.
1911		Bill Monroe, musician, the Father of Bluegrass.
1911		Roald Dahl, writer, best known for his children’s books such as James and the Giant Peach.
1922		Tony “Charles” Brown, blues singer and musician (*Merry Christmas Baby”).
1925		Melvin “Mel” Torme, jazz singer, musician, composer and arranger (“The Christmas Song,” AKA “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”); nicknamed the “Velvet Fog.”.
1926		Andrew Brimmer, economist; first African American to serve as governor of the Federal Reserve System (1966-74).
1938		Judith Martin, journalist and author best known as “Miss Manners” for her syndicated newspaper column on etiquette.
1944		Peter Cetera, singer, songwriter, musician, producer; a member of the band Chicago before embarking on a solo career (“After All,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”).
1948		Nell Carter, singer and actress; won Tony and Emmy awards (Ain’t Misbehaving).
1967		Michael Johnson, Olympic sprinter; won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championship gold medals.
1973		Mahima Chaudhry, Indian actress, model; won a Bollywood Movie Award for Dhadkan (2001).
1980		Ben Savage, actor (Boy Meets World TV series).

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