Italian Senate supports bill to increase number of women lawmakers News
Italian Senate supports bill to increase number of women lawmakers

[JURIST] The Italian Senate [official website; Wikipedia backgrounder] passed a bill [press release; legislative materials, in Italian] Wednesday that would increase the number of women elected to parliament. If the bill becomes law, it would require that females make up one third of all national election candidates. Women currently make up only ten percent of the legislature in Italy, one of the lowest percentages in the European Union.

Although the bill, known as the "quota rosa," or "pink quota" passed with an overwhelming majority in the Senate, it is not likely that it will be approved by the Chamber of Deputies [official website; English version] in time for the April 9 general elections, because the legislative calendar for the Chamber has already closed, and Parliament will adjourn this weekend. Stefania Prestigiacomo [profile], Italy's minister for equal opportunities, said that the Senate's passage of the bill is symbolic, and will hopefully pass on the commitment to the next parliament. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pennsylvania police killed 19 miners during strike

The Luzerne County Sheriff and deputies opened fire on a group of 400 striking miners in the town of Lattimer, Pennsylvania on September 10, 1897. Around 19 strikers were killed, and 39 were injured as a result. Luzerne County Sheriff James Martin and his deputies were later acquitted by a Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania jury after claiming that the strikers advanced upon the police. Learn more about the Lattimer Massacre from the Zinn Education Project and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book.

Sewing machine patented

On September 10, 1846, United States patent number 3640 was awarded to Elias Howe for his sewing machine. In 1854, Howe brought legal action against Isaac Singer, because he alleged Singer's machine infringed upon the patent. Howe won the case and was awarded royalties from the Singer sewing machines. Learn more about Elias Howe from the University of Rochester.

Last French execution by guillotine

On September 10, 1977, Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian immigrant convicted of murder, became the last person executed by guillotine in France. The French death penalty was formally abolished by President Francois Mitterand in 1981. Learn more about the history of the guillotine.