Connecticut House passes same-sex civil union bill with marriage amendment News
Connecticut House passes same-sex civil union bill with marriage amendment

[JURIST] Following the state Senate's passage of a similar bill [JURIST report] last week, the Connecticut House passed legislation 80-67 late Wednesday allowing same-sex civil unions but adding an amendment specifically defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman. In a statement [text], Gov. M. Jodi Rell approved of the passage and called the bill "a stronger and clearer" piece of legislation that she vowed to sign if senators sign off on the amended version. If the Senate signs off when they take up the issue next week, Connecticut would become the first state to voluntarily establish civil unions without court pressure. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.