EU hopes that Spanish support builds momentum for Constitution News
EU hopes that Spanish support builds momentum for Constitution

[JURIST] European Union officials are encouraged by Spain's overwhelming support in Sunday's referendum [JURIST report] for the body's proposed new Constitution [PDF], but remain guarded because there are still many challenges ahead in the numerous countries set to cast similar ballots over the next 18 months. According to the official results [Spain's official referendum website, in Spanish], more than 76 percent of Spaniards casting ballots supported the Constitution, but the nation did suffer a low turnout of 42 percent. The document must be ratified by all 25 member states before it takes effect. Spain's University of Zaragoza provides a wealth of resources on the proposed Constitution, including historical background and a step-by-step timeline on the constitutional process. AFP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Justice Department brings anit-trust action against AT&T

On November 20, 1974, the Department of Justice filed its final anti-trust suit against AT&T. United States v. AT&T was ultimately settled out of court with an agreement that the corporation would break up its monopoly on phone service throughout the country.

Nuremberg war crimes trials began

On November 20, 1945, the war crimes trials of Nazi World War II leaders began in the German city of Nuremberg. Review the Nuremberg Tribunal's Charter and the verdicts and sentences handed down on major war figures.

Winston Churchill born

On November 20, 1874, Sir Winston Churchill was born in Woodstock, England. He would go on to lead the United Kingdom as Prime Minister through World War II. Toward the end of the war, Churchill worked with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to craft the treaties and accords that have defined the world since WWII. A 2002 poll by the BBC declared Churchill the Greatest Briton of all time.

New Jersey ratifies Bill of Rights

New Jersey ratified the Bill of Rights, a set of 10 fundamental amendments to the US Constitution, on November 20, 1789, becoming the first state to do so. The state also ratified an amendment on federal representation which ultimately failed. Additionally, New Jersey rejected an amendment on congressional salaries, which would eventually become the 27th Amendment more than 200 years later. Read the articles ratified by New Jersey.