📅 Today in HistoryOctober 13

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.

Vandals and Alans cross the Pyrenees and appear in Hispania.

The present church building at Westminster Abbey is consecrated.

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

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

Coronation of Henry IV of England at Westminster Abbey.

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

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

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

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