TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT March 13, 1954

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu began during the First Indochina War as Viet Minh forces attacked French troops, who were defeated nearly two months later.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1764

Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who served as British Prime Minister from 1830to 1834, was born in Falloden, Northumberland.

1865

Confederate President Jefferson Davis signed a measure allowing black slaves to enlist in the Confederate States Army with the promise they would be set free.

1901

The 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, died in Indianapolis at age 67.

1925

The Tennessee General Assembly approved a bill prohibiting the teaching of the theory of evolution. signed the measure on March 21.

1928

At least 400people died when the San Francisquito Canyon in Southern California was inundated with water after the nearly two-year-old St. Francis Dam collapsed just before midnight the evening of March 12.

1933

Banks in the U.S. began to reopen after a “holiday” declared by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1934

A gang that included John Dillinger and “Baby Face” Nelson robbed the First National Bank in Mason City, Iowa, making off with $52,344.

1964

Bar manager Catherine “Kitty” Genovese, 28, was stabbed to death near her Queens, New York, home; the case gained notoriety over the supposed reluctance of Genovese’s neighbors to respond to her cries for help.

1975

The first Chili’s restaurant was opened in Dallas by entrepreneur Larry Lavine.