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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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