What happened to Aztec Emperor Cuauhtémoc in 1521 during Cortés's conquest?

Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés captured Cuauhtémoc in Tenochtitlan, ending the Aztec Empire. The entry identifies this as the decisive event for 1521.

What major events are listed for 1937 and 1942 in Aug. 13 history entries?

The 1937 entry says Japanese forces began the Battle of Shanghai, a three-month conflict involving over one million troops. The 1942 entry says the Manhattan Project started under U.S. General Leslie Groves to develop an atomic bomb.

THURSDAY, Aug. 13, 2026

Q: What did Swedish prosecutors announce in 2015 about Julian Assange?

They announced that they were dropping allegations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of sexual molestation and coercion. The entry does not add further details about the decision.

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Summary

Hernán Cortés captured Aztec Emperor Cuauhtémoc in Tenochtitlan in 1521, bringing the Aztec Empire to an end. The entry also lists other events tied to Aug. 13, including the start of the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 and the launch of the Manhattan Project in 1942. It notes that Swedish prosecutors dropped allegations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in 2015.

Key Facts

In 1536, Buddhist monks from Kyoto's Enryaku-ji Temple set fire to 21 Nichiren temples throughout Kyoto during the Tenbun Hokke Disturbance.
In 1642, Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovered Mars's southern polar cap.
In 1923, the Turkish National Congress selected Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as the first President of Turkey.
In 1937, Japanese forces started the Battle of Shanghai, a three-month conflict involving over one million troops.
In 1942, the Manhattan Project commenced under the direction of U.S. General Leslie Groves with the aim of developing an atomic bomb.

Published Aug 12, 2026 11:00 am KST

1521-Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés capture Aztec Emperor Cuauhtémoc in Tenochtitlan, bringing the Aztec Empire to an end

1536-Buddhist monks from Kyoto's Enryaku-ji Temple set fire to 21 Nichiren temples throughout Kyoto in the Tenbun Hokke Disturbance (Traditional Japanese date: July 27, 1536)

1642-Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovers Mars's southern polar cap

1788-Prussia joins the Anglo-Dutch alliance to form the Triple Alliance to prevent the spread of the Russo-Swedish War of 1788-90

1923-Turkish National Congress selects Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as the first President of Turkey

1937-Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces start the Battle of Shanghai, a three-month conflict involving over one million troops

1942-The Manhattan Project commences under the direction of U.S. General Leslie Groves with the aim of developing an atomic bomb

2015-Swedish prosecutors announce they are dropping allegations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of sexual molestation and coercion

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