Massachusetts AG now supports gay marriage ruling News
Massachusetts AG now supports gay marriage ruling

[JURIST] One day after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court announced it would hear arguments [JURIST report] challenging its decision to legalize same-sex marriage, Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly [official website] told reporters Friday that he now supports the ruling. He had previously opposed the unions, and initially spoke out against the court's November 2003 ruling [press release]. Reilly, who is expected to announce that's he a Democratic candidate for governor, also said that he's not in favor of a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and as Attorney General is opposed to taking away rights once they are granted. Skeptics call Reilly's statements nothing more than "pre-race politicking". Saturday's Boston Globe has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.