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

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.