This Day in Legal History: Anita Hill Testifies in Clarence Thomas Confirmation Hearing On October 11, 1991, law professor Anita Hill testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Hill, who had worked under Thomas at the Department of Education and the Equal Employme…

This Day in Legal History: Outer Space Treaty Enters Into Force On October 10, 1967, the Outer Space Treaty, formally known as the "Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies," entered into force. This landmark agreement established a framework for…

This Day in Legal History: Che Guevara Executed On October 9, 1967, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, a prominent figure in revolutionary movements across Latin America, was executed by Bolivian forces after being captured during a failed guerrilla campaign. Guevara was a key leader in the Cuban Revolution and sought to spread Marxist insurgencies throughout …

This Day in Legal History: Great Chicago Fire On October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire ignited, marking one of the most devastating urban disasters in U.S. history. The fire burned for two days, fueled by dry conditions and wooden structures that dominated the cityscape. It destroyed over three square miles of Chicago, killing around 300 people a…

This Day in Legal History: GDR Established On October 7, 1949, the German Democratic Republic (GDR), commonly known as East Germany, was officially established. This marked the formal division of Germany into two separate states after World War II. The creation of East Germany came in response to the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany (We…

This Day in Legal History: Watergate Trial Begins On October 4, 1974, the trial of key Watergate conspirators began, marking a significant moment in American legal and political history. The defendants included top Nixon administration officials H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, John Mitchell, Robert Mardian, and Kenneth Parkinson. These men were acc…

This Day in Legal History: Formal Immigration Quotas End On October 3, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act into law, marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. This legislation, also known as the Hart-Celler Act, abolished the national origins quota system that had been in place since 1924, whic…

This Day in Legal History: The Amsterdam Treaty Broadens the EU On October 2, 1997, the Amsterdam Treaty was signed by European Union (EU) delegates, marking a significant step in the evolution of the EU's institutional framework and policy ambitions. The treaty aimed to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and democratic legitimacy of the Union, …

This Day in Legal History: William Rehnquist Born On October 1, 1924, William Hubbs Rehnquist, the 16th Chief Justice of the United States, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 1972 by President Nixon, Rehnquist became a polarizing figure, known for his staunch conservatism and originalist approach to the Constitution…

This Day in Legal History: Nazi Leaders Convicted at Nuremberg On September 30, 1946, the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg delivered its final verdicts, marking a pivotal moment in legal history. The tribunal, established by the Allied powers after World War II, tried 24 high-ranking Nazi officials for crimes against peace, war crimes, …

This Day in Legal History: John Jay Commissioned as first Chief Justice On September 26, 1789, John Jay was commissioned as the first Chief Justice of the United States, marking a pivotal moment in American legal history. Nominated by President George Washington and confirmed by the Senate, Jay’s appointment came just months after the Judiciary Act…

This Day in Legal History: Bill of Rights Sent to US States for Ratification On September 25, 1789, the United States Congress sent twelve proposed constitutional amendments to the state legislatures for ratification. These amendments were designed to safeguard individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government, addressing concerns …

This Day in Legal History: Judiciary Act of 1789 On September 24, 1789, Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789, laying the foundation for the federal judiciary as we know it today. This landmark legislation established a three-tiered court system, consisting of district courts, circuit courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court at its pinnacle. The Act …

This Day in Legal History: McKinley Assassin Stands Trial On September 23, 1901, the trial of Leon Czolgosz began for the assassination of President William McKinley. Czolgosz, an anarchist, had shot McKinley on September 6 at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Despite efforts to save him, McKinley died eight days later from gangrene…

This Day in Legal History: Equal Rights Party Formed On September 20, 1884, a group of American suffragists formed the Equal Rights Party in San Francisco, marking a significant moment in the fight for gender equality in the United States. The party was established with the goal of securing "equal and exact justice" for all citizens, regardless of …

This Day in Legal History: Lord Haw-Haw Sentenced to Hang On September 19, 1945, William Joyce, infamously known as "Lord Haw-Haw," was sentenced to death by a British court for treason. Joyce, an American-born British subject, became notorious for his English-language radio broadcasts during World War II, where he spread Nazi propaganda designed t…

This Day in Legal History: Fugitive Slave Act Signed On September 18, 1850, U.S. President Millard Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave Act into law, a key and highly controversial component of the Compromise of 1850 and a dark moment in American history – unfortunately, one among many in the 19th century. The Act required that escaped slaves, even i…

This Day in Legal History: Treaty of Fort Pitt On September 17, 1778, the newly independent United States and the Lenape (Delaware) Nation signed the Treaty of Fort Pitt, marking the first formal treaty between the U.S. and a Native American tribe. The treaty established a military alliance during the American Revolutionary War, with the Lenape agr…

This Day in Legal History: Amnesty for Vietnam War Evaders On September 16, 1974, President Gerald Ford announced a conditional amnesty program for Vietnam War draft evaders and deserters. This program offered clemency to those who had resisted the draft or abandoned their military posts, provided they completed two years of public service. Ford ai…

This Day in Legal History: Khrushchev at the Helm On September 13, 1953, Nikita Khrushchev was appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, marking a pivotal shift in Soviet leadership following the death of Joseph Stalin. Khrushchev's rise to power signaled a departure from the oppressive and brutal regime of Stalin, as …

This Day in Legal History: Brown v. Board Stands On September 12, 1958, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Cooper v. Aaron, reaffirming the authority of federal courts and rejecting Arkansas's attempt to defy the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling. The case arose after Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus and the state legisla…

This Day in Legal History: Camp David Accords On September 11, 1978, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat reached a historic agreement at Camp David, laying the foundation for peace between Israel and Egypt. The Camp David Accords, brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, marked the first time an Arab nation had …

This Day in Legal History: Howe Sewing Machine Patented On this day in legal history, September 10, 1846, Elias Howe was granted U.S. Patent No. 3640 for his revolutionary sewing machine. Howe’s invention was a significant breakthrough, speeding up the process of garment production and forever changing the textile industry. However, Howe's legal ba…

This Day in Legal History: Abraham Lincoln Admitted to the Bar On September 9, 1836, Abraham Lincoln was officially admitted to the Illinois bar, beginning a legal career that would shape his future as one of America’s most influential leaders. After passing the bar exam, he received a license to practice law from the Illinois Supreme Court and soo…

This Day in Legal History: Non-aligned Movement On September 6, 1961, the first official Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conference concluded in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Leaders from 25 countries, including India’s Jawaharlal Nehru, Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Yugoslavia’s Josip Broz Tito, gathered to affirm their commitment to remaining independent of…

This Day in Legal History: First Continental Congress in Philadelphia On September 5, 1774, the First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, marking a pivotal moment in American legal and political history. Delegates from twelve of the thirteen American colonies gathered in response to the "Intolerable Acts" imposed by the British Parliamen…

This Day in Legal History: Orval Faubus Resists Brown v. Board of Education On September 4, 1957, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus made a highly controversial decision to call in the Arkansas National Guard to prevent nine Black students, known as the "Little Rock Nine," from entering Central High School. This action directly defied a federal court o…

This Day in Legal History: The Allies Declare War on Germany On September 3, 1939, the world witnessed a pivotal moment in legal and military history as the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, and Australia officially declared war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II for the Allies. This decisive action was a direct response to German…

This Day in Legal History: Slobodan Milošević Charged with Genocide On August 30, 2001, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) announced that former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević would face charges of genocide, marking a pivotal moment in international law. This decision added to the existing charges of war cri…

This Day in Legal History: Civil Rights Act of 1957 On August 29, 1957, the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, marking the first federal civil rights legislation enacted since the Reconstruction era. This landmark act aimed to address racial discrimination and was a significant step in the ongoing struggle for civil rights in Americ…

This Day in Legal History: Alabama Ten Commandments Monument On August 28, 2003, the Supreme Court of Alabama took down a monument of the Ten Commandments from its courthouse rotunda, marking the culmination of a high-profile legal battle. The monument had been installed by Chief Justice Roy Moore in 2001, who argued that it reflected the moral fou…

This Day in Legal History: Kellogg-Briand Pact On August 27, 1928, thirty-two nations signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact in Paris, a treaty aimed at renouncing war as a means of resolving disputes. Initiated by U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand, the pact reflected the widespread desire for peace follow…

This Day in Legal History: Nineteenth Amendment Adopted On August 26, 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was officially adopted, marking a pivotal moment in American history by granting women the right to vote. The Amendment, which states that the right to vote "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any Sta…

This Day in Legal History: Sacco and Vanzetti are Executed On August 23, 1927, Italian immigrants Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed in the Massachusetts State Prison, marking the culmination of one of the most controversial trials in American history. The two men, both anarchists, had been convicted of a 1920 armed robbery and doub…

This Day in Legal History: Welfare Reform On August 22, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act into law, marking a significant overhaul of the American welfare system. This legislation introduced strict work requirements for welfare recipients, imposed a lifetime limit of five years on receiving ben…

This Day in Legal History: American Bar Association Founded On August 21, 1878, the American Bar Association (ABA) was founded in Saratoga Springs, New York, by a group of 75 lawyers committed to advancing the legal profession in the United States. The ABA quickly became the nation’s premier organization for attorneys, setting standards for legal e…

This Day in Legal History: Economic Opportunity Act This day in legal history, on August 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act into law, a cornerstone of his ambitious "War on Poverty." The Act allocated $1 billion to fund social programs aimed at alleviating poverty across the United States. It created initiativ…

This Day in Legal History: Salem Witch Trial Executions On August 19, 1692, five individuals—four men and one woman—were executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, during the height of the Salem Witch Trials. This dark period in American colonial history saw widespread hysteria and a fervent belief in the supernatural, leading to accusations …

This Day in Legal History: WWI Spy Convicted On August 16, 1918, Lothar Witzke became the first German spy convicted by the United States during World War I. Tried by a military commission at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Witzke was found guilty of espionage for his role in sabotage activities against the U.S., including his alleged involvement in the B…

This Day in Legal History: “Starve or Sell” On August 15, 1876, the U.S. Congress passed a "starve or sell" bill, a genocidal piece of legislation aimed at coercing the Sioux Nation into surrendering their sacred Black Hills. The bill was passed just two months after the Battle of Little Bighorn, where Sioux and Cheyenne warriors achieved a signifi…

This Day in Legal History: Social Security Act Signed On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law, a landmark piece of legislation that reshaped the American social welfare system. The Act established several critical programs, including unemployment insurance, pension plans for the elderly, and "Aid …

This Day in Legal History: Chinese Exclusion Treaty On August 13, 1894, the U.S. Senate ratified the Chinese Exclusion Treaty, marking a significant moment in American immigration history. This treaty was an extension of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which was the first significant law restricting immigration into the United States. Under the …

This Day in Legal History: Swiss Banks Settle with Holocaust Survivors On August 12, 1998, a landmark settlement was reached when Swiss banks agreed to pay $1.25 billion to Holocaust survivors and their heirs. The settlement resolved lawsuits that accused the banks of withholding millions of dollars deposited by Holocaust victims before and during …

This Day in Legal History: Webster-Ashburton Treaty On August 9, 1842, the United States and Great Britain signed the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which played a crucial role in resolving longstanding boundary disputes between the two nations. The treaty, negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State Daniel Webster and British diplomat Lord Ashburton, focused…

This Day in Legal History: Nixon Resigns On this day in legal history, August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation from the office of the President of the United States, becoming the first and only president to do so. This unprecedented event followed the Watergate scandal, a complex political affair that began with a break-in…

This Day in Legal History: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution On August 7, 1964, the U.S. Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, a pivotal moment in American history that marked a significant escalation in the Vietnam War. This resolution was a direct response to the alleged attack on the USS Maddox by North Vietnamese forces on August 4, 1964. The …

This Day in Legal History: Voting Rights Act On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. legal history. This landmark legislation aimed to eradicate racial discrimination in voting, targeting practices like literacy tests and poll taxes that had disenfranchised African Ameri…

This Day in Legal History: Ronald Reagan Fires Air Traffic Controllers On August 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan made a landmark decision to fire over 11,000 striking air traffic controllers. These federal employees, members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), had initiated a strike on August 3, demanding better pay, …

This Day in Legal History: Declaration of Independence Signed On August 2, 1776, the formal signing of the Declaration of Independence took place in Philadelphia, solidifying a pivotal moment in American history. Although the Declaration was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, the actual signing by the delegates occurred nearly a month …

This Day in Legal History: Switzerland Federal Charter Signed This day in legal history marks the anniversary of the signing of the Federal Charter on August 1, 1291, which laid the foundation for the Swiss Confederation. This historic agreement united three Alpine cantons—Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden—establishing a pact for mutual defense against …