Iraqi Electoral Commission sets Jan. 30 for national elections News
Iraqi Electoral Commission sets Jan. 30 for national elections

[JURIST] The Iraqi Electoral Commission announced Sunday that it has set January 30, 2005 as the date for national elections. Iraqis will vote for 275 members of a transitional parliament that will pick a new government and draft a permanent constitution to replace the interim document now in force. Once a constitution is enacted, the transitional parliament will be dissolved and new elections held near the end of 2005. Insurgent violence, particularly in Sunni areas of Iraq, has threatened to derail the elections and despite today's announcement is still a potential problem for both the holding and the legitimacy of the vote. The US military has promised to increase troop levels to help secure the January poll. BBC News has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

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On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.