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

District of Columbia named seat of US government

On July 16, 1790, the District of Columbia was established as the permanent seat of the United States government by the Residence Act. Originally the district contained land on both sides of the Potomac, grants from Maryland and Virginia, but in the mid-19th century, when it was obvious that the major government buildings were being built on the Maryland side, Virginia asked for its land back and received it. Learn more about the District of Columbia.

Saddam Hussein becomes President of Iraq

On July 16, 1979, Hasan al-Bakr resigned as President of Iraq. He was replaced by Saddam Hussein, who held power until he was deposed by American forces in 2003. In 2006, Hussein was tried and convicted of crimes against humanity. He was executed by hanging later that year. Learn more about relations between the United States and Saddam Hussein from George Washington University.