Learn Our History Today: On December 2, 1823, during his annual address to Congress,

President James Monroe declared a new United States policy that would soon become known as the Monroe Doctrine. This new doctrine stated that the United States would remain neutral in all future European conflicts and would forbid all European influence in the Western Hemisphere. The origins of this policy go back to the late 1810s and early 1820s when European nations began taking a renewed and vigorous interest in the Americas, with Russia, Spain, and Britain attempting to expand their roles.

At the time it was announced, and for some time afterward, the United States seldom used the doctrine, having little power to do so, and it was not until the late 1800s that it was really invoked. At that time, the United States began taking a greater interest in Central and South America and soon became increasingly imperialist in its desires. In 1898, using the Monroe Doctrine, war was declared on Spain, beginning the Spanish-American War and marking the first time that the doctrine was invoked against a European power for their influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Also, on this day in U.S. history:

1812: James Madison is re-elected as President with Elbridge Gerry serving as Vice-President.
1867: British author Charles Dickens gives his first public reading in the United States at a theater in New York City.
2001: Energy company Enron files for bankruptcy, kicking off one of the largest corporate scandals in the United Stated.

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