The celebration of the independence of the United States, which was declared on July4th, 1776 is a time for historical reflection and for the remembrance of those nations which assisted in this struggle to achieve independence. The role of France is often and rightly recalled in public teaching and discourse in the United States. However, the very important and even crucial role of Spain is all too often omitted. Spain contributed both financial resources and military forces to assist the United States of America during the period of its war for independence.

The National Security Agency, America’s code-making and code-breaking organization, was created on November 4th, 1952 by Executive Order of President Harry Truman, after studies had been done with respect to how best to organize US signals intelligence activities.

On July 4, 1952,  the national legislative assembly of the Republic of Korea approved constitutional amendments providing for a bicameral congress, popular presidential elections and control of the cabinet by the legislature.

In 1952 the President of Lebanon, Bishara Khoury, in office since 1943, was faced with a general strike and demands for his resignation. The strike had broad popular support and was organized by the Social National Front (SNF) that was formed by nine members of the Lebanese legislative assembly and counted among its leadership such prominent individuals as Emile Bustani, Kamal Jumblatt and Camille Shamun. President Khoury asked the Army Chief of Staff General Fuad Chehab (also rendered as Shihab) to end the strike of September 11th, which had paralyzed the country. General Shehab refused and on the 18th of September 1952 the President resigned. General Shehab served briefly as the head of a caretaker government until the 23rd of September when the Chamber of Deputies elected Camille Chamoun the new president of Lebanon. The strike and its political result constitute what many Lebanese refer to as a non-violent coup d’etat, hence the term, Rosewater Revolution. This event reverberated down through the years, setting the stage for more political events whose results are still felt today. Of this, more will be written in future articles.