Egyptian voters back election changes in constitutional referendum News
Egyptian voters back election changes in constitutional referendum

[JURIST] In what Interior Minister Habib al-Adli claimed was the largest turnout ever in a registered referendum, 83% of Egyptian voters have backed a change in election law [JURIST report] that allows multi-candidate presidential elections. The high turnout was marred however by attacks from Egyptian police and demonstrators [JURIST report] against anti-referendum activists, attacks which President Bush Thursday condemned as counter to the notion of free elections. The pro-reform group Kifaya [Wikipedia entry], opposed to the measure and to President Hosni Mubarak's National Democratic Party [official website], claimed that NDP supporters had attacked marchers and women with police nonintervention. Mubarak, in power since 1981, is expected to announce soon that he will run for a fifth term. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Hitler and Nazis attempt failed coup in Beer Hall Putsch

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted an ill-faited coup in Munich, Germany on November 8, 1923. Instead of seizing power, the conspirators suffered 15 casualties and their leaders were arrested, including Hitler. The future dictator would spend a year in prison as a result, where he would write his infamous Mein Kampf. Learn more about the Beer Hall Putsch.

Oregon legalized physician-assisted suicide

On November 8, 1994, Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act by voter initiative, becoming the first US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Read the Death With Dignity Act,

France government opens the Louvre as a public museum

On November 8, 1793, the revolutionary government in France opened the Louvre for the first time as a public museum. Learn more about the history of the Louvre.