Federal preemption policy memorandum [White House] News
Federal preemption policy memorandum [White House]

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, The White House, May 20, 2009 [directing that a sufficient legal basis is required for federal authorities to preempt state laws and that any legitimate state prerogatives should be fully considered, marking a departure from Bush administration policy]. Read the full text of the memorandum. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Eighteenth Amendment came into effect

On January 16, 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution came into effect as scheduled one year after ratification, marking the beginning of Prohibition. Learn more about Temperance and Prohibition from Professor K. Austin Kerr of the Ohio State University Department of History.

English Parliament bans Roman Catholicism

On January 16, 1581, the English Parliament banned Roman Catholicism throughout the country during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. From that time on, Catholicism declined in England until the Catholic Emancipation of the late 18th century.

Read the history of the Roman Catholic Church in England.