Federal judge rules evolution disclaimer in textbook unconstitutional News
Federal judge rules evolution disclaimer in textbook unconstitutional

[JURIST] US District Court Judge Clarence Cooper has ruled that the Cobb County School District [official website] in Atlanta must remove an evolution disclaimer inside textbooks. The stickers inside the science books stated "Evolution is a theory not a fact." Judge Cooper said the stickers violated the Establishment Clause [UMKC Law backgrounder] of the US Constitution. The case was brought by parents in Cobb County and the Georgia ACLU [advocacy website] who argued the stickers violated the constitutional separation of church and state. Read the US District Court order [PDF]. CNN has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Massachusetts instituted death penalty for heresy

On November 4, 1646, the Massachusetts General Court approved a law requiring all members of the colony to recognize the Bible as the Word of God, under penalty of death.  

Israel PM Yitzhak Rabin assassinated

On November 4, 1995, Yigal Amir shot and killed Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in response to the Oslo Accords peace agreement with the Palestine Liberation Organization. Amir was tried and given a life sentence for the murder. Learn more about the trial of Yigal Amir from the New York Times.