AP US History This Day in American History September 13 1814 – Francis Scott Key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America's national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The poem, originally titled "The Defence of Fort McHenry," was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812.
AP US History This Day in American History September 13 1936 – 17-year-old Cleveland Indians pitching ace "Rapid" Robert Feller strikes out 17 batters in a game, setting a new American League record. Feller allowed just two hits in the game to help his team to a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia A’s.
AP US History This Day in American History September 13 1990 – The drama series Law & Order premieres on NBC; it will go on to become one of the longest-running primetime dramas in TV history and spawn several popular spin-offs.
AP US History This Day in American History September 13 1998 - George Wallace, one of the most controversial politicians in U.S. history, dies in Montgomery, Alabama, at the age of 79.