White House letter defending Estrada nomination [White House] News
White House letter defending Estrada nomination [White House]

Letter from White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales to Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy, February 12, 2003 [denying their request for additional information on US DC Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Miguel Estrada and urging them to end the filibuster and allow a vote on the nomination]. Read the full text of the letter here [PDF]. Reported on JURIST's Paper Chase here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.