James B. Weaver (1833–1912) was a two-time candidate for US president and a congressman from Iowa. After serving in the Union Army in the Civil War, Weaver worked for the election of Republican candidates, as an advocate for farmers and laborers. He switched to the Greenback Party, and with Democratic support, won election to the House in 1878. The Greenbackers nominated Weaver for president in 1880, but he received only 3.3 percent of the popular vote. He was again elected to the House in 1884 and 1886, where he worked for expansion of the money supply and for the opening of Indian Territory to white settlement. As the Greenback Party fell apart, he helped organize a new left-wing party, the Populists, and was their nominee for president in 1892. This time he gained 8.5 percent of the popular vote and won five states. The Populists merged with the Democrats by the end of the 19th century, and Weaver went with them, promoting the candidacy of William Jennings Bryan for president in 1896, 1900, and 1908. Several of Weaver's political goals became law after his death, including the direct election of senators and a graduated income tax.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B._Weaver

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1240:

The Disputation of Paris began in the court of King Louis IX, in which four rabbis defended the Talmud against Nicholas Donin's accusations of blasphemy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disputation_of_Paris

1776:

The Fifth Virginia Convention adopted a declaration of rights, a hugely influential document that proclaimed the inherent rights of men. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Declaration_of_Rights

1889:

Runaway passenger carriages collided with a following train near Armagh, present-day Northern Ireland, killing 80 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armagh_rail_disaster

1942:

On her thirteenth birthday, Anne Frank began keeping her diary during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diary_of_a_Young_Girl

1999:

In the aftermath of the bombing of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo War, the NATO-led Kosovo Force entered Kosovo with a mandate of establishing a secure environment in the territory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Force

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

drama llama: (slang) A histrionic person. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/drama_llama

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I have often been downcast, but never in despair; I regard our hiding as a dangerous adventure, romantic and interesting at the same time. In my diary I treat all the privations as amusing. I have made up my mind now to lead a different life from other girls and, later on, different from ordinary housewives. My start has been so very full of interest, and that is the sole reason why I have to laugh at the humorous side of the most dangerous moments.   --Anne Frank https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Anne_Frank