By The Associated Press

Today in History

Today is Monday, Sept. 14, the 258th day of 2020. There are 108 days left in the year.

Todayís Highlight in History:

On Sept. 14, 1901, President William McKinley died in Buffalo, New York, of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin; Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him.

On this date:

In 1715, Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Perignon, credited with advances in the production of champagne, died in Hautvillers, France, at age 76.

In 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem ìDefence of Fort McHenryî (later ìThe Star-Spangled Bannerî) after witnessing the American flag flying over the Maryland fort following a night of British naval bombardment during the War of 1812.

In 1836, former Vice President Aaron Burr died in Staten Island, N.Y., at age 80.

In 1847, during the Mexican-American War, U.S. forces under Gen. Winfield Scott took control of Mexico City.

In 1861, the first naval engagement of the Civil War took place as the USS Colorado attacked and sank the Confederate private schooner Judah off Pensacola, Florida.

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