Jay was one of the important contributors to the founding of the United States and assuring its independence from Britain. Jay served in the Continental Congress, and was elected President of that body in 1778. During and after the American Revolution, he was a minister (ambassador) to Spain and France, helping to fashion American foreign policy and to secure favorable peace terms from the British and French. He co-wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Jay served on the U.S. Supreme Court as the first Chief Justice of the United States from 1789 to 1795.
Generational Link: Civil War Cycle - Era of Good Feeling - First Turning, High (1788-1821)

Biography:
b. October 19, 1895 - Lewis Mumford, American historian (d. January 26, 1990)
Generational Link: World War Cycle - Lost Generation - Nomad (Reactive) (1883-1900)

Elsewhere:
10/19/1453 - The French recapture of Bordeaux brings the Hundred Years' War to a close, with the English retaining only Calais on French soil.
Also,

Biography:
b. October 19, 1931 - John le Carré, English novelist

News Today / History Tomorrow (10/15/2007):
The Turkish government drafted a motion today seeking parliamentary authority for the military to cross into Iraq to fight Kurdish separatist rebels who have been taking refuge in the mountainous border region.

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