On This Day: October 13th

In Washington, D.C., the cornerstone of the United States Executive Mansion (known as the White House since 1818) is laid.

The Continental Congress establishes the Continental Navy (predecessor of the United States Navy).

Port Royal, the capital of French Acadia, falls in a siege by British forces.

A Swedish-Dutch fleet defeats the Danish fleet at Fehmarn and captures about 1,000 prisoners.

Coronation of Henry IV of England at Westminster Abbey.

Rinchinbal Khan becomes the Khagan of the Mongols and Emperor of the Yuan dynasty, reigning for only 53 days.

Hundreds of the Knights Templar in France are arrested at dawn by King Philip the Fair, and later confess under torture to heresy.

The present church building at Westminster Abbey is consecrated.

Vandals and Alans cross the Pyrenees and appear in Hispania.

Roman emperor Claudius dies from poisoning under mysterious circumstances. He is succeeded by his adopted son Nero, rather than by Britannicus, his son with Messalina.