Georgia voter ID law receives DOJ approval News
Georgia voter ID law receives DOJ approval

[JURIST] The US Department of Justice [official website] granted approval Friday to a Georgia law [bill summary; JURIST report] that would require photo identification to vote in elections. This approval, which is required of Georgia and other states with a history of voter discrimination by the 1965 Voting Rights Act [DOJ backgrounder], allows the law to be enacted but does not prevent it from being challenged in court. Many groups have promised to bring such a challenge, alleging that the requirement of photo identification will disenfranchise the poor, the elderly, and minorities. AP has more. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has local coverage.

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.