The first election for Virginia's 5th congressional district took place
on February 2, 1789. In a race that turned on the candidates' positions
on the need for a Bill of Rights, James Madison (depicted) defeated
James Monroe for a place in the First Congress. It is the only
congressional election in U.S. history in which two future presidents
opposed each other. The race came about when former governor Patrick
Henry and other Anti-Federalists sought to defeat Madison. They put
forward Monroe, a young but experienced politician, who campaigned
vigorously. Despite bitterly cold weather, the two candidates debated
outdoors; traveling after one such meeting, Madison suffered frostbite
on his face. Madison won the election comfortably, to the applause of
his supporters such as President-elect George Washington. The race did
not affect Madison's friendship with Monroe, who would serve as
Madison's Secretary of State and succeed him as president in 1817..
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_State>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1836:
The Toledo War, a mostly bloodless territorial dispute between
Ohio and the Michigan Territory, was unofficially ended with a
resolution passed by the controversial "Frostbitten Convention".
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_War>
1913:
Haruna, the fourth and last Japanese battleship of the Kongō
class, was launched, going on to serve in both world wars.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_battleship_Haruna>
1960:
Australian cricketer Ian Meckiff was run out on the last day of
the first Test match between Australia and the West Indies, resulting in
the first tied Test in cricket history.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Meckiff>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
by virtue of:
(idiomatic) (originally) by the authority or power of; (now) because of;
on the grounds of; by reason of.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/by_virtue_of>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
A good man knows when to sacrifice himself, Brother Michael liked
to say. A bad man survives but loses his soul.
--John le Carré
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_le_Carr%C3%A9>