John C. Breckinridge (January 16, 1821 – May 17, 1875) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier. He represented Kentucky in both houses of Congress and became the youngest-ever vice president of the United States. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1850 as a Democrat. He served as vice president from 1857 to 1861 alongside President James Buchanan. In 1859, he was elected senator for Kentucky. The Southern Democrats held two rival conventions; one nominated Breckinridge for president, who carried most of the Southern states. With the southern vote split, Abraham Lincoln won the election. Taking his Senate seat, Breckinridge urged compromise. When the Civil War broke out, Breckinridge fled to the Confederacy. He fought in numerous engagements as a general officer. In 1865 he was appointed secretary of war and urged the Confederate president, Jefferson Davis, to arrange a national surrender. After the war he lived abroad, returning in 1869.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Breckinridge

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1942:

World War II: During the Battle of Bataan, U.S. Army sergeant Jose Calugas organized a squad of volunteers to man an artillery position under heavy fire, which later earned him the Medal of Honor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Calugas

1964:

The musical Hello, Dolly! opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway, and went on to win ten Tony Awards, a record that stood for 37 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello,_Dolly!_%28musical%29

2018:

In Mrauk U, Myanmar, police fired into a crowd protesting the ban of an event to mark the anniversary of the end of the Kingdom of Mrauk U, resulting in seven deaths and twelve injuries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrauk_U_riot

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

bounden: 1. (dated) Now chiefly in the term bounden duty: made obligatory; binding. 2. (obsolete) Bound. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bounden

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

It is not suffering as such that is most deeply feared but suffering that degrades.   --Susan Sontag https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Susan_Sontag