Rhode Island-Massachusetts same-sex marriage ruling [MA SC] News
Rhode Island-Massachusetts same-sex marriage ruling [MA SC]

Sandra Cote-Whitacre et al. v. Department of Public Health et al., Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk County Superior Court, September 29, 2006 [ruling that two women from Rhode Island may marry in Massachusetts despite the Commonwealth's 1913 statute forbidding the marriage of couples who can't legally wed in their home states]. Read the full text of the ruling [PDF]. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Connecticut adopts first modern constitution

On January 14, 1639, the first written governmental constitution in modern history was adopted in the Colony of Connecticut. The Fundamental Orders represented the first time that a government was based upon a written constitution anywhere in the world. Along with the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders served as bases for the United States Constitution 150 years later, which in turn influenced the development of later constitutions throughout the world. Three hundred and twenty-six years after the original Fundamental Orders were adopted by Connecticut, the modern Constitution of Connecticut was ratified.

Guatemala constitution takes effect

On January 14, 1986, the current constitution of Guatemala took effect.

Read the Spanish-language text of the constitution, as amended in 1993.

First constitution adopted by Connecticut

On January 14, 1639, Connecticut adopted its first constitution, one of the earliest such documents in the American colonies. Review the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.