Bush calls for renewed commitment to rule of law in Russia News
Bush calls for renewed commitment to rule of law in Russia

[JURIST] Leading up to this week's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin [official website], President Bush Monday criticized the leader's continuing shift toward authoritarian rule and called for the Russian government to "renew a commitment to democracy and the rule of law." In Bush's speech [White House text] delivered to European leaders in Brussels, he made mention of the need for open markets, a free press, the sharing of power, and the rule of law if Russia is to further strengthen its ties with Western nations. Reuters has more. BBC News has recorded video of Bush's speech.

THIS DAY @ LAW

No lynchings reported in US for first time

On December 30, 1952, the Tuskegee Institute reported that 1952 was the first year of no lynchings of African Americans in the United States in the 71 years it had kept records. Learn more about lynching and listen to Billie Holiday's jazz recording of the 1938 protest song Strange Fruit.

USSR established

On December 30, 1922, representatives of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and the Transcaucus approved the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR and the Declaration of the Creation of the USSR, creating the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). During World War II, the USSR would also annex Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Moldova. Learn more about the history of the USSR from the BBC.