Prosecutors ask court to uphold Martha Stewart’s conviction News
Prosecutors ask court to uphold Martha Stewart’s conviction

[JURIST] Federal prosecutors filed a 220-page brief on Wednesday evening with the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals asking the court to uphold the conviction of Martha Stewart. Earlier this month, Stewart's attorneys argued that federal prosecutors improperly suggested that Stewart was charged with insider trading at her trial. The appeals court will not hear oral arguments until early next year and most likely will not rule until after Stewart is released from prison. Stewart has said she nonetheless wants to continue with the appeal to clear her name. AP has more. The brief came one day after Stewart posted a Thanksgiving message on her website.

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.