BREAKING NEWS ~ Bush officially names Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state News
BREAKING NEWS ~ Bush officially names Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state

[JURIST] BBC News is reporting that President Bush has officially selected current National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to fill the secretary of state post, as reported on JURIST's Paper Chase Monday. Current Secretary of State Colin Powell announced his resignation Monday. A live webcast of the White House press briefing will begin at 12:45 PM ET.

1:05 PM ET – An AP story is now available online; European officials' reactions to Rice's nomination have been mixed.

4:20 PM ET – A transcript of the announcement ceremony is now available online from the White House.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.