Rehnquist not returning to bench after holiday break News
Rehnquist not returning to bench after holiday break

[JURIST] Updating a Wednesday announcement on Chief Justice William Rehnquist's return to work part-time, a Supreme Court spokeswoman said Friday that Rehnquist will not preside from the bench Monday when the high court returns from the holiday break. Rehnquist, 80, will be absent due to "continuing secretions caused by his tracheotomy and radiation therapy." The Chief Justice was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in October of last year and has subsequently missed about 25 arguments while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The spokeswoman noted however, that Rehnquist will "continue to read briefs and transcripts of oral arguments, participate in conferences, and vote on cases." As noted in JURIST's This Day at Law feature, today marks Rehnquist's 33rd year on the court. If his health allows, he is expected to administer President Bush's oath of office at his second inaugural on January 20th. AP has more.

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.