Senate confirmation vote on UN ambassador nominee Bolton delayed News
Senate confirmation vote on UN ambassador nominee Bolton delayed

[JURIST] The US Senate was forced to delay the vote on UN ambassador nominee John Bolton [official biography] Thursday after Democrats demanded more information from the White House before agreeing to end their debate which began Wednesday [JURIST report] and vote on the nomination. Democrats say that the Senate has not been given classified information on Bolton's current position as the State Department's arms control chief. Republicans needed 60 votes to end the debate, but the roll call was only 56-42. Majority Leader Bill Frist released a statement [press release] after the vote stating the "Democrats have chosen partisan confrontation over cooperation." Due to the Memorial Day recess, the confirmation vote will probably not be taken until June. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.