David -
I looked it up in Encarta Online:
Fifty-four forty or fight in U.S. history, phrase commonly used by American
extremists in
the controversy with Great Britain over the OREGON region. They held that U.S.
rights
extended to lat. 54°40 N, the recognized southern boundary of Russian America.
The phrase
was used by Democrat James POLK in his successful 1844 presidential campaign.
In 1846 the
boundary was set at 49°N.
Gary McCormick
San José, CA
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"David A. Fox" wrote:
> Andrew;
>
> Now I consider myself moderatly intelligent and reasonably knowledgable in
> history [I was raised in Gettysburg, PA] but I must admit, and thus ask,
> what does 54-40 or fight relate to ?
>
> Just refer to me as -- Ignorant in Florida :{
>
> <(©¿©)>
> ------------------------------
> Blue Skies & Calm Waters,
> DAFox [SRL311-04646]
> Oviedo, Florida
> dafox1@hotmail.com
>
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: "Andrew Murphy" <solex67@hotmail.com>
> Reply-To: "Andrew Murphy" <solex67@hotmail.com>
> To: robinkrause@hotmail.com
> CC: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: D-Day
> Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 13:30:45 PDT
>
> To all.
>
> " How many people out there know what the term 54-40 or fight! means? At one
> time it was one of the most recognized slogans in this country, but now, not
> one person in a hundred could indentify it. "
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
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