In History, Today on October 13

King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar, leading to the eventual dissolution of the order.

The United States Navy was established by the Continental Congress, marking the birth of the U.S. naval forces.

The cornerstone of the White House was laid in Washington, D.C., beginning the construction of the residence of the President of the United States.

The B'nai B'rith, the oldest Jewish service organization in the world, was founded in New York City.

Greenwich was established as the universal time meridian of longitude by the International Meridian Conference.

Italy declared war on Germany, its former Axis partner, during World War II, switching sides to join the Allies.

Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed in the Andes mountains, leading to a famous survival story where the survivors resorted to cannibalism.

The first cellular network was launched in Chicago by Ameritech, marking a significant milestone in telecommunications.

Le Duc Tho, a Vietnamese revolutionary, diplomat, and politician, passed away. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, which he declined.

Ban Ki-moon is elected as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, succeeding Kofi Annan.

The last of 33 miners trapped underground for 69 days in the San José mine in Copiapó, Chile, is rescued, concluding a successful international rescue operation.

The United States and the United Kingdom accuse Russia of cyber attacks on political institutions, marking a significant moment in the rising tensions over cybersecurity and election interference.