EU hopes that Spanish support builds momentum for Constitution News
EU hopes that Spanish support builds momentum for Constitution

[JURIST] European Union officials are encouraged by Spain's overwhelming support in Sunday's referendum [JURIST report] for the body's proposed new Constitution [PDF], but remain guarded because there are still many challenges ahead in the numerous countries set to cast similar ballots over the next 18 months. According to the official results [Spain's official referendum website, in Spanish], more than 76 percent of Spaniards casting ballots supported the Constitution, but the nation did suffer a low turnout of 42 percent. The document must be ratified by all 25 member states before it takes effect. Spain's University of Zaragoza provides a wealth of resources on the proposed Constitution, including historical background and a step-by-step timeline on the constitutional process. AFP has more.

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.