... 1903, a crowd imprisoned 2 generals and so seceded Panama from Colombia following the latter country's rejection of the Hay-Herrán Treaty, which provided for U.S. control of a canal uniting the Atlantic and Pacific. President Theodore Roosevelt supported the secessionist move; indeed, an early dispatch indicated that the Central American isthmus might be annexed to the United States. Although that did not occur, U.S. recognition of the newly independent Panamanian state came quickly, as did construction of the canal. (photo of 1904 U.S. cutting courtesy of Panama Canal History Museum) ... 1937 (70 years ago today), U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Cal.) was born in Seattle.
... 1947 (60 years ago today), U.S. Rep. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) was born in Fukushima, Japan.
