THIS DAY AT LAW
Today in legal history...

Friday, July 30, 2010

President Johnson signed Medicare bill

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Social Security Act of 1965, establishing Medicare and Medicaid, which provided federal health insurance for poor Americans and those over 65.

Learn more about health care in the US from the Social Security Administration.




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Otto von Bismarck dies

On July 30, 1898, Otto von Bismarck died at age 83 in Germany. Bismarck served as Prime Minister of Prussia until German unification in 1873. He then served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire. Bismarck is perhaps best remembered for engineering the unification of Germany, but he was also responsible for the creation of the German social welfare system.

Learn more about Otto von Bismarck.




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Thursday, July 29, 2010

President Eisenhower signed act creating NASA

On July 29, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Learn more about NASA from the agency's website.




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IAEA created

On July 29, 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was created as means to promote the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes. Though established independently by the IAEA Statute, the agency is still supported in its mission by the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council.

Learn more about the history of the IAEA from the agency website.




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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Alberto Fujimori born

On July 28, 1938, Alberto Fujimori was born in Lima, Peru. Fujimori became President of Peru exactly 62 years later on July 28, 1990 and served until November 22, 2000, when he fled to Japan amid allegations of corruption and human-rights violations. Fujimori was widely credited with restoring the Peru's economy and national security during his time in office, but was convicted in 2007 of ordering an illegal search and seizure and sentenced to 6 years in prison. In 2009, he was also convicted in a separate trial of human rights violations stemming from his war against domestic terrorists during his time in office.

Learn more about Alberto Fujimori and the ongoing criminal prosecutions against him.




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Fourteenth Amendment ratified

On July 28, 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, granting citizenship to former slaves and protecting due process of law and equal protection of laws in the States.

Learn more about the history of the Fourteenth Amendment.




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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach President Nixon

On July 27, 1974, the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted 27-11 to adopt the first of the Articles of Impeachment against President Richard Nixon, charging him with obstruction of justice in connection with the Watergate scandal. Nixon resigned before impeachment proceedings could begin, and was later pardoned by his successor, President Gerald Ford.

Learn more about the impeachment proceedings and the Watergate scandal.




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Armistice ending Korean War signed

On July 27, 1953, the Korean War ended when the United States, China and North Korea signed an armistice, dividing the Korean peninsula at the 38th parallel. The president of South Korea did not sign but agreed to abide by the agreement.

Learn more about the Korean War from the US Navy.




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Monday, July 26, 2010

Americans with Disabilities Act signed

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and activities of state and local government.

Learn more about the act from the US Department of Labor.




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Dutch Low Countries declared independence from Spain

On July 26, 1581, the Dutch Low Countries signed the Plakkaat van Verlatinghe (the Act of Abjuration), declaring independence from Spain.




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