Minnesota House approves same-sex marriage bill News
Minnesota House approves same-sex marriage bill
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[JURIST] The Minnesota House of Representatives [official website] on Thursday approved a bill [HF 1054] to legalize same-sex marriage by a vote of 75-59 [press release], dividing mostly upon party lines. This bill moves Minnesota a step towards become the twelfth US state to legalize gay marriage. The bill will have to pass in the Senate before becoming law, but most expected the House to be the toughest [ NYT report] hurdle the bill would have to face. Governor Mark Dayton has supported the measure and has said that he would sign the bill.

Delaware and Rhode Island [JURIST report] become the latest states to legalize same-sex marriage, passing similar legislation this month. In March the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two same-sex marriage cases. The first case, Hollingsworth v. Perry [JURIST report], examines the validity of Proposition 8 [JURIST news archive], a California referendum that revoked same-sex marriage rights. In the second case, United States v. Windsor [JURIST report], the court examines the constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. The court granted certiorari [JURIST report] in the two cases in December. Both cases could have an important impact on the ongoing same-sex marriage controversy in the US.

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38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.