John Hay was an American statesman, diplomat, and writer, born on October 8, 1838. He served as the private secretary to President Abraham Lincoln and played a significant role in the administration during the Civil War. Later, he became the U.S. Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, where he was influential in shaping American foreign policy. Hay is best known for the Open Door Policy, which aimed to ensure equal trading rights for all nations in China. He also negotiated the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, allowing the construction of the Panama Canal. Hay's contributions significantly impacted U.S. diplomacy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.