BREAKING NEWS ~ DeLay indicted for money laundering by second grand jury News
BREAKING NEWS ~ DeLay indicted for money laundering by second grand jury

[JURIST] The Austin American-Statesman is reporting that embattled GOP Congressman Tom DeLay, indicted last week on criminal conspiracy charges [JURIST report] in connection with improper campaign contributions and forced to temporarily step down as House Majority Leader, has now been indicted for money laundering and criminal conspiracy by a second Texas grand jury. The Austin American-Statesman has more[registration required].

7:02 PM ET – The new indictment followed a motion by DeLay attorneys to dismiss the original criminal conspiracy charges [PDF]. 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.