This Day…

1844-American expansionism is formally expressed as the Democratic platform of presdential candidate James K Polk. The platform stresses ‘reannexation’ of Texas and ‘reoccupation’ of Oregon. The slogan ‘Fifty-four Forty or Fight’ asserts the US right to the land that will become the State of Washington. That land, north of Oregon, is at present occupied by the British by mutual agreement.