DR Congo legislature approves new constitution News
DR Congo legislature approves new constitution

[JURIST] Officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [BBC country profile; US State Department background note] announced Saturday that the country's legislature has adopted a new constitution to replace the transitional document agreed to in South Africa in 2002 to end the DRC's brutal five-year civil war, said to have killed some 3 million people. The new national charter, which now must be approved within six months in a referendum, recognizes citizenship of members of all ethnic groups present in the country at its 1960 independence from Belgium (including Tutsis, who were brought in by the Belgians in the 19th century), and lowers the required age for President from 35 to 30, allowing 33-year old current President Josepk Kabila [BBC profile] to run in anticipated 2006 elections. BBC News has more; South Africa's Mail & Guardian has additional coverage.

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.