Commentaries by Pearl Goldman

Ireland’s Vote to Remove Blasphemy from its Constitution and the Case of Asia Bibi

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Ireland’s Vote to Remove Blasphemy from its Constitution and the Case of Asia Bibi

December 10, 2018 10:42:48 am

In a referendum held on Friday, October 26, 2018, the people of Ireland voted to amend the Irish Constitution to remove the word blasphemy from Article 40.6.1, which declared that “he publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law.” This constitutional amendment enables [...]

THIS DAY @ LAW

American colonists throw tea into Boston harbor in protest of Britain-imposed tea tax

A group of American colonists known as the "Sons of Liberty" boarded an East India Company ship carrying tea disguised as Native Americans on December 16, 1773, throwing the cargo overboard in protest of the British Parliament's taxes on tea imported by Americans. The protest would result in five acts of Parliament known as the "Intolerable Acts," including the Boston Port Act, which closed Boston Harbor to all ships. Read an eyewitness account of the Boston Tea Party.

English Bill of Rights took effect

On December 16, 1689, the English "Bill of Rights" went into effect. Review An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown.

President Truman proclaims state of emergency in response to China entry into Korea War

On December 16, 1950, US President Harry S. Truman proclaimed a national state of emergency during the Korean War in response to Chinese intervention.