UN abandons anti-cloning treaty News
UN abandons anti-cloning treaty

[JURIST] The United Nations ended a long-running debate Thursday by deciding not to draft a treaty that would ban all human cloning. President Bush, along with Costa Rica, supported the total ban, while other countries have been pushing for a treaty that would allow cloning for research purposes, including stem cell research. The two sides were unable to find a common ground, resulting in the proposal of a non-binding declaration that would only act to encourage countries to pass anti-cloning legislation. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.