On May 13, 1846, the U.S. Congress declared war on Mexico,
following a request from President James K. Polk. This
declaration marked the beginning of the Mexican-American
War, a conflict rooted in disputes over Texas and other
territories.

After nearly two years of fighting, peace was established by the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848. The
Rio Grande was made the southern boundary of Texas, and
California and New Mexico were ceded to the United States.

In return, the United States paid Mexico the sum of $15 million
and agreed to settle all claims of U.S. citizens against Mexico.

Stevland Hardaway Morris, known professionally as Stevie
Wonder, is a singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer.

He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the
20th century. Wonder is credited as a pioneer and influence by
musicians across a range of genres that include R&B, pop, soul,
gospel, funk, and jazz.

Blind since shortly after his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy
who signed with Motown‘s Tamla label at the age of 11.        

                   
CAMILLE BOHANNON       

  
     
     
     
 
Actress Katharine Houghton Hepburn
(May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003)

Hepburn’s career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned
six decades. She worked in a varied range of genres,
from screwball comedy to literary drama, which earned
her various accolades, including four Academy Awards
for Best Actress—a record for any performer.

 
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On May 12, 1957, race car driver A.J. Foyt (1935- ) scored his
first professional victory, in a U.S. Automobile Club (USAC)
midget car race in Kansas City, Missouri.

He practiced at the Indy 500 track in 1993, but retired on the
first day of qualifying races. Apart from auto racing teams,
Foyt’s later business interests have included car dealerships,
funeral homes, oil investments and thoroughbred racehorses.

On May 11, 1969, Hamburger Hill became the scene of an
intense  and controversial battle during the Vietnam War.

Known to military planners as Hill 937 (its height in meters),
the solitary peak is located in the dense jungles of the A
Shau Valley of Vietnam, about a mile from the border with
Laos.       

 Though the hill had no real tactical significance, taking the
hill was part of Operation Apache Snow, a U.S. military sweep
of the A Shau Valley. 

The purpose of the operation was to cut off North Vietnamese
infiltration from Laos and enemy threats to the cities of Hue
and Da Nang.    

Hamburger Hill the day after the battle, May 21, 1969.