Friday, February 22, 2008

Historical Political Events for February 22

Year Event
1549 The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V issues a decree forbidding the use of coercion to take Native Americans into personal service in Spanish America. (From The Encarta® 2000 New World Timeline © Copyright 1998, Helicon Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.)
1732 George Washington, 1st President of the US (1789-1796), born this date.
1831 Both the settlers and the government in the state of Georgia have been seizing Cherokee lands. On February 15th, the U.S. Senate officially asked President Jackson if he was going to live up to the Indian Trade and Intercourse Act passed in March, 1802. Today, President Jackson responded that he sides with the State of Georgia, and he will not enforce any law giving precedence to the Cherokees over Georgia. The Cherokees also sought relief through the courts. In "Worcester vs. Georgia" the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the Cherokees. The Indians were elated, believing they would get relief. President Jackson is reported to have said, "John Marshall has rendered his decision, now let him enforce it." Later, the "Native Americans" were forcibly removed to Oklahoma (see "Trail of Tears"). [There is a powerful lesson here about government and the "rule of law" -- ignore it at your peril.]
1899 US military landing with British in Nicaragua at San Juan del Norte and Bluefields to protect foreign interests during rebellion, February 22-March 5.
1906 British School Meals act is passed this year. School children are provided free breakfast and other meals.
1917 President Wilson's close friend and intimate adviser Col. Edward M. House visited Europe and consulted with leading statesmen. His conferences with Sir Edward Grey resulted in the so-called House memorandum, which stated that the president was ready, whenever Britain and France thought the time opportune, to propose a peace conference -- with conditions.
1958 The United States agreed to supply Britain with 60 Thor missiles carrying atomic weapons.
1998 Under substantial military pressure from the U.S., Iraq accepted UN terms of peace brought to Baghdad by UN Sec. Gen. Kofi Annan. However, over the course of the following months, Iraq continued to impede UN weapons inspections teams.