On this Day... January 13

CEBU, Philippines – In 1920, a cruel article appeared in the New York Times. It heaped derision on the theories of Professor Robert Hutchings Goddard, who had publicly announced that a rocket could function in a vacuum. Though Goddard later became known as "the Father of Space Exploration," the article's author suggested that he was the master of scientific follies, and "seems only to lack the knowledge ladled out daily in high schools!" Forty-nine years later the bumptious Times writer got his comeuppance when Apollo II headed for the moon. The paper published a gentle apology, which said, "It is now definitely established that a rocket can function in a vacuum. The Times regrets the error." Unfortunately, by then Goddard had been dead for twenty-four years!

- from Today's the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

In Christian history

• In 1836, Alexander Whyte, a clergyman who was known as "the last of the Puritans," was born. Whyte taught New Testament at New College, Edinburgh, and authored a number of devotional books.

- from Today in Christian history by William D. Blake

In the Philippines

• In 1897, Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja began his Cavite campaign and deployed 9,277 troops, led by General Jose Lachambre, in a full offensive against Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

- www.tublr.gov.ph

• In 1975, Sultan Mohammad Dipatuan Kudarat (also spelled Qudarat) of Maguindanao was hailed as national hero of the Filipino people and not just of Muslim Filipinos.

- kahimyang.info

In Cebu

• In1922, the Cebu Portland Cement Company was incorporated under Philippine laws with an authorized capital stock of five million pesos.

- from Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos