Soldier apologizes for Abu Ghraib abuse News
Soldier apologizes for Abu Ghraib abuse

[JURIST] Army Spc. Sabrina Harman [Wikipedia profile] apologized for her role in the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison [Wikipedia entry] during the sentencing phase of her court-martial at Fort Hood, Texas, Tuesday. Harman was convicted Monday [JURIST report] of six of the seven charges brought against her, including threatening an inmate with electrocution while he stood hooded on a box with wires attached to his hands. She was seen taunting inmates in several of the notorious pictures that appeared from the prison. Military prosecuters asked the jury to sentence Harman to three years in jail; her defense has requested that she avoid jail time altogether, citing evidence that she was considered kind to Iraqis on other occasions and did not approve of the acts she photographed. AP 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.