Chirac tries to salvage EU constitution vote in TV town hall meeting News
Chirac tries to salvage EU constitution vote in TV town hall meeting

[JURIST] Fighting off a barrage of opposition to the agreement, French President Jacques Chirac embarked Thursday on a campaign to save the proposed European Union constitution [official website; treaty text] from defeat in an upcoming national referendum. With the anti-treaty position slightly ahead in opinion polls, Chirac hosted a "town hall meeting" on the referendum with 83 young people on prime-time French TV. Chirac stated that the treaty could not be renegotiated if France rejects it, but added that he would not resign if apparently-growing opposition to the constitution [JURIST report] prevails in the May 29 vote. Watch recorded video of the meeting via Paris TF1 television. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.