Saturday, May 13, 2006

Spotlight
Ecuador broke away from Great Colombia, declaring its independence on this date in 1830; Juan Jose Flores became the new country's first president. Two other countries created at that time were Colombia and Venezuela. Ecuador borders the Pacific Ocean at the equator (hence, its name), situated between Colombia and Peru. It is rich in petroleum and agriculture, with its main exports being oil, bananas and shrimp.

Quote
"We have to change Ecuador or die in the attempt." – Lucio Gutierrez Borbua

Today in History

• Mexican War: declared by President Polk; the resultant expansion was justified by manifest destiny (1846)
• spacewalk: first 3-person excursion in orbit completed by astronauts aboard the Endeavour (1992)
• greenback: $20 bill remade to beat counterfeiters (2003)

Today's Birthdays

• Pius IX: longest-reigning pope (1792-1878)
• Ritchie Valens: popularized "La Bamba" (1941-1959)
• Samantha Morton: Agatha in Minority Report (29)

Word of the Day
 mestizo: person of mixed race, especially of blended European and Native American ancestry; over half Ecuador's population is mestizo.   (© )