The correct answer is 'declared.' Key Points - In the given sentence, we need a word close to the meaning of 'announced' to fill in the blank. - Let us see the meanings of the given words: - Ruled: to have the power over a country, group of people, etc. - Ordered: to use your position of authority to tell somebody to do something or to say that something must happen. - Foretold: predicted (the future or a future event). - Declared: said something in a solemn and emphatic manner, announced. - From the meanings of the words,we can say that 'declared' is the most appropriate answer. - Therefore, the correct answer is 'declared.'