This Day In History — Continental Congress begins construction of naval fleet

October 13

1775
The Continental Congress authorized the construction of a naval fleet.

1792
The cornerstone of the White House was laid.

1843
The Jewish organization B’nai B’rith was founded.

1903
Boston defeated Pittsburgh in the first World Series.

1943
Italy declared war on Germany, its former Axis partner, during World War II.

1974
Ed Sullivan died in New York City at age 72.

1981
Egypt’s vice president Hosni Mubarak was elected president, one week after Anwar Sadat’s assassination.

Birthdays

Margaret Thatcher
1925–2013, British political leader.

Rudolf Virchow
pathologist (1821)

Mary Kingsley
explorer (1862)

Art Tatum
jazz pianist (1910)

Yves Montand
actor, singer (1921)

Paul Simon
musician (1941)

Jerry Rice
football player (1962)

Nancy Kerrigan
figure skater (1969)

Ashanti
singer, actor (1980)

Ian Thorpe
swimmer (1982)

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