DeLay court appearance on conspiracy charges set for Oct. 21 News
DeLay court appearance on conspiracy charges set for Oct. 21

[JURIST] US Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) [official website, JURIST news archive] was ordered on Thursday to appear in a Texas court on October 21 for his initial appearance in connection with charges that he violated Texas election law [JURIST report]. DeLay is accused [indictment text, PDF] of conspiring to use corporate donations to support candidates for the Texas legislature; state law allows corporate donations to be used only for administrative expenses. Indictments were earlier issued against associates of DeLay [JURIST report]. DeLay attacked the indictment in interviews Thursday, saying that he thought prosecutors were convinced that he had not participated in any wrongdoing and categorized the indictment as politically motivated. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle [official website] denied any such motivation and pointed out that he has prosecuted more Democrats than Republicans. AP 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.