Abraham Lincoln approves Confiscation Act

On July 17, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Second Confiscation Act, which among other things allowed for the confiscation of private property in rebel territory, without due process or any opportunity for defense.

Learn more about the Confiscation Act of 1862.

THIS DAY @ LAW

US signed peace treaty with Germany ending World War I

On August 25, 1921, the United States, which never ratified the Versailles Treaty ending World War I, finally signed its own peace treaties with Germany, Austria and Hungary.

Former East Germany leader convicted of manslaughter for Berlin Wall policy

On August 25, 1997, Egon Krenz, the former of East Germany was convicted of manslaughter for promulgating a policy of shooting any East Germans who attempted to cross the Berlin Wall. Krenz was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison, of which he served four before being released into retirement from political life.