Costa Rica becomes first Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage News
QuinceCreative / Pixabay
Costa Rica becomes first Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage

Costa Rica became the first Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage on Tuesday.

According to the Costa Rican Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling, lawmakers had 18 months to adjust the current law or same-sex marriage would automatically become legal. The legislative assembly did not alter any laws, so the ruling came into force at midnight, which invalidated the laws banning same-sex marriage.

Costa Rica’s public television broadcasted a special program on LGBT rights. President Carlos Alvarado also tweeted in support: “Today we celebrate freedom, equality and democratic institutions.”

Costa Rica is the sixth Latin American country to recognize same-sex marriage, with Ecuador legalizing it last year. It also became the eighth country in the Americas, and the twenty-eighth UN member state to do so.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.