October 13th, 2008

Today in History

1983:
Ameritech Mobile Communications (now Cingular) launched the first US cellular network in Chicago.

1972:
Andes flight disaster: Fairchild passenger plane transporting a rugby team crashes in Andes. They are found alive December 20 but they have had to resort to cannibalism to survive, as chronicled in the 1993 film '.

1845:
A majority of voters in the Republic of Texas approve a proposed constitution, that if accepted by the U.S. Congress, will make Texas a U.S. state.

1775:
The United States Continental Congress orders the establishment of the Continental Navy (later renamed the United States Navy).

1307:
All Knights Templar in France are simultaneously arrested by agents of Phillip the Fair, to be later tortured into "admitting" heresy.