US, Holocaust survivors settle WWII Gold Train case News
US, Holocaust survivors settle WWII Gold Train case

[JURIST] The US Department of Justice [official website] announced Friday that the government will pay over $25 million to Holocaust survivors, settling a long term class action suit over the US Army's pilfering of the Hungarian Gold Train [Presidential Committee on Holocaust Assets report]. The train contained valuables belonging to the survivors that was loaded by the Hungarian Nazi government trying to move them in the closing days of World War II. The settlement will be paid not to the people whose belongings were stolen, but rather to needy survivors. Review the draft settlement agreement [PDF] posted on the plaintiffs' website [which also including extensive background documentation], and read a brief DOJ statement on the settlement. AP has more.

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.