Today in History

Today is Monday, Aug. 13, the 226th day of 2012. There are 140 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Aug. 13, 1942, Walt Disney's animated feature "Bambi" had its U.S. premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York, five days after its world premiere in London.

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 1792, French revolutionaries imprisoned the royal family.

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

In 1961, East Germany sealed off the border between Berlin's eastern and western sectors and began building a wall that would stand for the next 28 years.

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 Rep. Mickey Leland, D-Texas, and 14 other people -- there were no survivors.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush hosted a half-day economic forum at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he assured Americans that his administration had a steady hand on the economy. American Airlines said it would eliminate 7,000 jobs and cut flights. Amid rising floodwaters, tens of thousands of people in the Czech Republic fled their historic capital, Prague, for higher ground.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush's political strategist, Karl Rove, announced his resignation. A bridge under construction in the ancient Chinese city of Fenghuang collapsed, killing 64 people. Two women among the 23 South Koreans kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan were freed. Philanthropist Brooke Astor died in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., at age 105. Hall of Fame Yankees shortstop and broadcaster Phil Rizzuto died in West Orange, N.Y., at age 89.

One year ago: Seven people were killed when a stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair during a powerful storm just before a concert was to begin. In the Republican presidential race, Rep. Michele Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll; Texas Gov. Rick Perry officially declared his candidacy. In eastern Pakistan, gunmen kidnapped an American development expert, Warren Weinstein.

Today's Birthdays: Former Cuban President Fidel Castro is 86. Actor Pat Harrington is 83. Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 79. Actor Kevin Tighe is 68. Actress Gretchen Corbett is 65. Opera singer Kathleen Battle is 64. High wire aerialist Philippe Petit is 63. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke is 63. Golf Hall of Famer Betsy King is 57. Movie director Paul Greengrass is 57. Actor Danny Bonaduce is 53. TV host/weatherman Sam Champion (TV: "Good Morning America") is 51. Actress Dawnn Lewis is 51. Actor John Slattery is 50. Actress Debi Mazar is 48. Actress Quinn Cummings is 45. Actress Seana Kofoed is 42. Country singer Andy Griggs is 39. Country musician Mike Melancon (Emerson Drive) is 34. Actress Kathryn Fiore is 33. Pop-rock singer James Morrison is 28.

Thought for Today: "There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves." -- Jane Austen, English author (1775-1817).

Copyright 2012, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.