Emperor of Abyssinia Téwodros II, angered by the failure of the British to provide him aid had taken most British diplomats, missionaries, and businessmen in his kingdom as hostages the year before. After other diplomatic attempts had failed, Queen Victoria's government issued a final ultimatum that unless all hostages were delivered to the Ethiopian coast by this day, military action would be taken. Again,the Emperor failed to comply, was ultimately invaded and overcome by a strong British expedition, and committed suicide in April 1868. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
"Abyssinia," The American Annual Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1867 ... (New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1870), 3-5.