TODAY IN HISTORY

1513 – Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain.

1525 – Albert von Brandenburg, the leader of the Teutonic Order, assumes the title “Duke of Prussia” and passed the first laws of the Protestant church, making Prussia a Protestant state.

1789 – The U.S. House of Representatives held its first meeting.

1832 – About 300 American troops of the 6th Infantry left Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, to confront the Sauk Indians in the Black Hawk War.

1834 – In New York City, Cornelius Lawrence became the first mayor to be elected by popular vote in a city election.

1839 – The first Intercollegiate Rodeo was held at the Godshall Ranch, Apple Valley, CA.

1864 – The U.S. Senate passed the 13th Amendment (S.J. Res. 16) by a vote of 38 to 6.

1873 – Alfred Paraf patented the first successful oleomargarine.

1911 – The first squash tournament was played at the Harvard Club in New York City.

1913 – The Seventeenth amendment was ratified, requiring direct election of senators.

1935 – The Works Progress Administration was approved by the U.S. Congress.

1939 – Italy invaded Albania.

1942 – The Soviets opened a rail link to the besieged city of Leningrad.