John Hay (1838–1905) was an American statesman and official whose
career in government stretched over almost half a century. After
graduation from Brown University in 1858, Hay read law in his uncle's
office in Springfield, Illinois, adjacent to that of Abraham Lincoln.
Hay worked for Lincoln's successful presidential campaign, and became
his assistant private secretary. Through the American Civil War, Hay was
close to Lincoln, and stood by his deathbed after Lincoln was shot at
Ford's Theatre. In 1897, President William McKinley made him the
ambassador to Britain. The following year, Hay became the U.S. secretary
of state. He served almost seven years, first under McKinley before his
assassination, and then under Theodore Roosevelt. Hay was responsible
for the Open Door Policy in China. To clear the way for the building of
the Panama Canal, he negotiated the 1901 Hay–Pauncefote Treaty with
the United Kingdom, the 1903 Hay–Herrán Treaty with Colombia, and the
1903 Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty with Panama.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hay>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1907:
New York City held its first annual ball drop event in Times
Square as part of New Year's Eve celebrations.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square_Ball>
1909:
The Manhattan Bridge, connecting Lower Manhattan to Downtown
Brooklyn and considered to be the forerunner of modern suspension
bridges, opened to traffic.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Bridge>
1965:
Central African military officers led by Jean-Bédel Bokassa
began a coup d'état against the government of President David Dacko.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Sylvestre_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
Godspeed:
1. (literary) Used, especially at a parting, to express the wish that
the outcome of the actions of a person (typically someone about to start
a journey or a daring endeavour) is positive for them.
2. (uncountable) The wishing of someone a smooth journey, or success,
especially at a parting; (countable) a statement expressing this.
3. (countable, figuratively)
4. (archaic) Chiefly in in the Godspeed of: the most important part of
something, or point at which something happens; also, the last minute or
last moment.
5. (originally Ireland) In back of Godspeed: a distant, remote, or
unknown place.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Godspeed>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
A very strong military posture is vitally necessary today. How
long it must continue I am not prepared to estimate, but I am sure that
it is too narrow a basis on which to build a dependable, long-enduring
peace. The guarantee for a long continued peace will depend on other
factors in addition to a moderated military strength, and no less
important. Perhaps the most important single factor will be a spiritual
regeneration to develop goodwill, faith, and understanding among
nations. Economic factors will undoubtedly play an important part.
Agreements to secure a balance of power, however disagreeable they may
seem, must likewise be considered. And with all these there must be
wisdom and the will to act on that wisdom.
--George C. Marshall
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_C._Marshall>