Tommorrow will mark the 148th anniversary of the first trans-Atlantic

[NNadir]

electronic communication.

On August 16, Queen Victoria sent a telegram of congratulation to President Buchanan through the line, and expressed a hope that it would prove "an additional link between the nations whose friendship is founded on their common interest and reciprocal esteem." The President responded that, "it is a triumph more glorious, because far more useful to mankind, than was ever won by conqueror on the field of battle. May the Atlantic telegraph, under the blessing of heaven, prove to be a bond of perpetual peace and friendship between the kindred nations, and an instrument destined by Divine Providence to diffuse religion, civilisation, liberty, and law throughout the world."

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/transatlantic%20telegraph%20cable

James Buchanan, by the way, set the standard for "Worst President ever" until modern times, when his dubious record was blown away by one "George W. Bush."

[Pab Sungenis]

1. And shortly afterward....

...the telegraph line was severed and went unrepaired until after the Civil War.

[tocqueville]

2. "to diffuse religion..."

"instrument destined by Divine Providence to diffuse religion, civilisation, liberty, and law throughout the world"

that shows that the separation of Church and State in the US is a merely formal statement with no real bases in mentality. The US has never understood Jefferson's message. At least the Queen was talking about "friendship"...
She probably thought that Buchanan was a nut.

Buchanan's statement could be retaken by Bush today, but probably the advisers would shorten it to "freedom".

[NNadir]

4. Well, it's important to note that Buchanan did hold the "worst President"

title until the beginning of the 21st century.

[soothsayer]

3. And the company that did this still exists, now called Cable &

Wireless (UK based company). Happy anniversary!