Taiwan president promises steps toward new constitution News
Taiwan president promises steps toward new constitution

[JURIST] In his New Year message [text], Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian [official website] promised Sunday to support a new Taiwanese constitution in his last two years of presidency. A new constitution would have to be approved by the legislature before sent to the public for a referendum. Chen's comments come in the face of warnings from China and a split Taiwanese people. Chen's Democratic Progressive Party [Wikipedia backgrounder] was defeated in the December election [BBC report] and Chen was afterward expected to act to appease China, including removal of trade and investment barriers. China has forbidden the creation of a new Taiwanese constitution, which it views as a step toward Taiwan's formal independence. Chen argues that the constitution would create a political system appropriate for Taiwan, and that its aim is not independence. China has claimed sovereignty over the island since civil war in 1949. Taiwan's people are divided [JURIST news archive] on whether it should be independent from China. The Nationalist Party, which defeated Chen's Party in December's elections, favors reunification with China. 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.