Australia legalizes same-sex marriage with House of Representatives vote News
Australia legalizes same-sex marriage with House of Representatives vote

Australia’s House of Representatives [official website] on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved [minutes] a bill [text, PDF] legalizing same-sex marriage, with just four votes in opposition.

The new law changes the definition of marriage from “the union of a man and a woman” to “the union of 2 people” [text, PDF]. This comes after years of resistance from conservatives. There had previously been 22 unsuccessful attempts [NYT report] to make this change since 2004.

This particular vote was preceded [Sydney Morning Herald report] by a national postal survey in which 61% of over 12 million respondents were shown to be in favor of marriage equality. The response prompted the government to allow a free vote in Parliament.

The vote caused immediate celebrations, including cheers and even a song, with supporters singing “I am, you are, we are Australian.” Personal stories were shared by numerous senators and MPs, including one that played out on the floor of parliament as Tim Wilson [official website], an MP from Victoria, proposed to his partner during debate on the bill.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.