The Ostend Manifesto was a document written in 1854 describing the rationale for the United States to purchase Cuba from Spain, and declaring that the U.S. would be "justified in wresting" the island from Spanish hands if Spain refused to sell. Cuba's annexation had long been a goal of Southern slaveholding expansionists, although U.S. national leaders had been satisfied to have it remain in Spanish hands rather than those of Britain or France. At the suggestion of Secretary of State William L. Marcy, three American ministers in Europe (Pierre Soulé (pictured), James Buchanan and John Y. Mason) met in Ostend, Belgium, to discuss strategy related to acquisition of Cuba. To Marcy's chagrin, the flamboyant Soulé had made no secret of the meetings, causing unwanted publicity in the U.S. and Europe. The administration of President Franklin Pierce was finally forced to publish the contents of the dispatch, which caused it irreparable damage. The manifesto was immediately denounced in the Northern states and Europe, and it became a rallying cry for Northerners seeking to control the vote on slavery. The question of Cuba's annexation was effectively set aside until the late 19th century.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostend_Manifesto

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1514:

Mary Tudor (pictured), sister of Henry VIII of England, became queen consort of France. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Tudor,_Queen_of_France

1874:

The Universal Postal Union, then known as the General Postal Union, was established with the signing of the Treaty of Bern to unify disparate postal services and regulations so that international mail could be exchanged freely. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Postal_Union

1919:

In Major League Baseball, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series, five games to three, over the Chicago White Sox, whose players were later found to have lost intentionally. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sox_Scandal

1970:

The Khmer Republic, headed by General Lon Nol and Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak, was proclaimed in Cambodia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Republic

2006:

North Korea conducted a nuclear test, reportedly near Kilchu, with an explosive force of less than one kiloton, that was condemned and denounced by many countries and the United Nations Security Council. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_North_Korean_nuclear_test

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

understudy: 1. To study or know a role, so as to be able to replace its normal performer if required. 2. To act as an understudy (to, for someone). https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/understudy

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

We all been playing those mind games forever Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil. Doing the mind guerrilla, Some call it magic — the search for the grail. Love is the answer and you know that for sure. Love is a flower, you got to let it — you got to let it grow.   --John Lennon https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Lennon