Opposition lawmakers file impeachment complaint against Arroyo News
Opposition lawmakers file impeachment complaint against Arroyo

[JURIST] Opposition lawmakers in the Philippines filed an impeachment complaint Monday against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo [official website], accusing her of election fraud and other allegations. The impeachment does not come as a surprise [JURIST report] after 50 opposition lawmakers last week expressed support for an impeachment [JURIST report]. The filing against Arroyo claims she "stole, cheated and lied" in her rise to and retention of power. Arroyo's closest aides have moved to block the complaint on a legal technicality, as opposition lawmakers close in on the minimum 79 signatories required to file the complaint. A summary of the complaint accuses Arroyo of 10 major crimes including vote rigging [JURIST report] and corruption. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.