US soldier sentenced to three years in prison for murder of wounded Iraqi News
US soldier sentenced to three years in prison for murder of wounded Iraqi

[JURIST] US military officials said Saturday that a US soldier has been sentenced to three years in prison for killing a severely wounded Iraqi. As previously reported in JURIST's Paper Chase, Staff Sgt. Johnny M. Horne Jr., 30, of Winston-Salem, N.C., had pleaded guilty on Friday to unpremeditated murder of the Iraqi teen August 18 during fighting in Baghdad's Sadr City. Horne also received a reduction in rank to private, forfeiture of wages, and a dishonorable discahrge. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.