Supreme Court hears arguments without Rehnquist News
Supreme Court hears arguments without Rehnquist

[JURIST] Chief Justice William Rehnquist remained at home Monday while the Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases. Rehnquist continues to work from home while he receives radiation and chemotherapy for thyroid cancer. Justice John Paul Stevens commented from the bench at this morning's court session that Rehnquist "is unable to be present but will participate in the consideration and discussion of the cases on the basis of the briefs and the transcripts of oral argument.” The Supreme Court heard arguments in Devenpeck v. Alford and Shepard v. United States (case summaries from Duke Law School). The Court also issued an order list Monday, but made no new grants of certiorari.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.