TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT September 10, 1813

An American naval force commanded by Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1608

John Smith was elected president of the Jamestown colony council in Virginia.

1846

Elias Howe received a patent for his sewing machine.

1919

New York City welcomed home Gen. John J. Pershing and 25,000 soldiers who’d served in the U.S. First Division during World War I.

1935

Sen. Huey P. Long died in Baton Rouge two days after being shot in the Louisiana state Capitol, allegedly by Dr. Carl Weiss.

1945

Vidkun Quisling was sentenced to death in Norway for collaborating with the Nazis.

1955

The Western series “Gunsmoke,” starring James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon, began a 20-season run on CBS-TV.

1963

20 black students entered Alabama public schools following a standoff between federal authorities and Gov. George C. Wallace.

1977

Convicted murderer Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian immigrant, became the last person to date to be executed by the guillotine in France.