Investigation and Prosecution of Nazi War Criminals [SWC] News
Investigation and Prosecution of Nazi War Criminals [SWC]

Worldwide Investigation and Prosecution of Nazi War Criminals, April 2005-March 2006, Simon Weisenthal Center, released April 23, 2006 [reporting that in 2005-05 sixteen Nazi war criminals were convicted for atrocities during World War II in Italy, Germany and Poland, a marked increase in convictions over the previous year]. Read the full text of the report [DOC] and an accompanying press release. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Phillip III of Spain expels Muslim converts to Christianity

Phillip III of Spain began the expulsion of the country's "Morisco" (Muslims who converted to Christianity and their descendants) population on April 9, 1609, based on the Crown's fears that the Morisco population retained Muslim beliefs. Hundreds of thousands of Moriscos would be expelled from the country from 1609-1614. The expulsions took place just over 100 years after Spain's Jewish population was expelled in 1492. Learn more about the expulsion of the Moriscos.

Senate approves purchase of Alaska

On April 9, 1867, the U.S. Senate voted to ratify the Treaty with Russia for the Purchase of Alaska and thereby approve the purchase of the territory from Russia for $7.2 million. Initially, the purchase was made to keep Alaska away from the British. It was politically unpopular with many Americans who denounced it is "Seward's Folly", after U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, who had lobbied for the purchase. Seward was later vindicated by the discovery of gold and oil in Alaska.

Learn more about the Alaska Purchase from the U.S. State Department.

Last beheading in England

On April 9, 1747, Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, became the last man to be beheaded in England when he was executed on Tower Hill for his part in the Jacobite rising of 1745. Learn more about the legal history and practice of beheading.