Webster was a leading American statesman during the nation's antebellum era. Webster first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests. His increasingly nationalistic views and the effectiveness with which he articulated them led Webster to become one of the most famous orators and influential Whig leaders of the Second Party System. As an attorney he served as legal counsel in several cases that established important constitutional precedents that bolstered the authority of the Federal government. As Secretary of State, Webster negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty that established the definitive Eastern border between the United States and Canada. Primarily recognized for his Senate tenure, Webster was a key figure in the institution's "Golden Age". So well known was his skill as a Senator throughout this period that Webster became a third of what was and still is known today as the "Great Triumvirate", with his colleagues Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. His "Reply to Haynes" (1830) was generally regarded as "the most eloquent speech ever delivered in Congress." Though Webster made three bids he never achieved the Presidency, his final attempt failing in part because of his compromises. Like his attempts at gaining the White House, Webster's efforts at steering the nation away from civil war toward a definite peace would ultimately prove futile.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Webster

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

217: Roman Emperor Caracalla was assassinated at a roadside near Harran. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracalla)

1904: France and the United Kingdom signed the Entente Cordiale. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entente_Cordiale)

1904: Aleister Crowley began transcribing The Book of the Law, a Holy Book in Thelema. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_the_Law)

1904: Longacre Square in Midtown Manhattan, New York was renamed Times Square. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square)

1929: Indian independence movement: In response to the British Empire's Defense of India Act which gave more power to the police, Indian revolutionary Bhagat Singh with the help of Batukeshwar Dutt bombed the Central Assembly in Delhi. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -- Yeshua (Jesus Christ) (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jesus)