August 13 - The Day in History

August 13 : General Interest 1961: Berlin is divided Shortly after midnight on this day in 1961, East German soldiers begin laying down barbed wire and bricks as a barrier between Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the democratic western section of the city... read more American Revolution 1781 : Patriots ambush Loyalists as French set sail http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patriots-ambush-loyalists-as-french-set-sail Automotive 1902 : Rotary engine inventor Felix Wankel born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rotary-engine-inventor-felix-wankel-born Civil War 1864 : Deep Bottom Run campaign begins http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/deep-bottom-run-campaign-begins Cold War 1948 : Record day for the Berlin Airlift http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/record-day-for-the-berlin-airlift Crime 1961 : Yosemite killer Cary Stayner born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/yosemite-killer-cary-stayner-born Disaster 1878 : First victim of Memphis yellow-fever epidemic dies http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-victim-of-memphis-yellow-fever-epidemic-dies General Interest 1521 : Aztec capital falls to Cortés http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/aztec-capital-falls-to-corts 1899 : Hitchcock born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hitchcock-born 1926 : Fidel Castro born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fidel-castro-born Hollywood 1982 : Fast Times at Ridgemont High debuts http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-debuts Literary 1931 : Novelist and screenwriter William Goldman is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/novelist-and-screenwriter-william-goldman-is-born Music 1952 : "Hound Dog" is recorded for the first time by Big Mama Thornton http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/quothound-dogquot-is-recorded-for-the-first-time-by-big-mama-thornton Old West 1860 : Annie Oakley is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/annie-oakley-is-born Presidential 1981 : Reagan signs Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA) http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/reagan-signs-economic-recovery-tax-act-erta Sports 1995 : Yankee legend dies http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/yankee-legend-dies Vietnam War 1966 : Prince Sihanouk criticizes the United States http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/prince-sihanouk-criticizes-the-united-states 1972 : Sappers raid Long Binh ammo dump http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sappers-raid-long-binh-ammo-dump World War I 1918 : German crown council at Spa http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/german-crown-council-at-spa World War II 1940 : The Battle of Britain escalates http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-britain-escalates

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY Mobile ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get the Civil War App for your iPad - Now only $2.99! App Store just named the Civil War Today App one of the best apps of the year. One hundred fifty years after the American Civil War began, HISTORY™ presents The Civil War Today, a groundbreaking app created exclusively for the iPad. Explore every phase and aspect of America's bloodiest conflict with daily updates that unveil the events in real time over the course of four years... find out more! Download the app!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY Shop ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Find your favorite shows from HISTORY on DVD Shop our store today!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY Magazine ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you enjoy American History? If so, please consider subscribing to The History Channel Magazine. Learn insights into the significant events that helped shape America's past. Try the club today!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From our A+E Networks Family ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIO.com has made big changes! Check out our On This Day site for exclusive, new videos about the famous people who have made history in politics, sports, entertainment and more. BIO has also added brand new content, including more than 1,500 groups, over 300 new biographies, and dozens of new photo galleries. Plus, see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons, from Barack Obama to Lady Gaga, when you sign in to BIO.com via Facebook! See all these great features and more when you visit the all-new BIO.com.