Velvet Revolution begins in Czechoslovakia

On November 17, 1989, riot police put down student protests against the communist government in Czechoslovakia. The incident started a series of non-violent protests that finally forced the communists from power two weeks later.

Learn more about the Velvet Revolution.

THIS DAY @ LAW

First international arbitration court founded

On February 6, 1900, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was founded with the ratification of the 1899 Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. Set at The Hague in the Netherlands, the PCA was the first international tribunal established to settle disputes between nations. The PCA was later revised by the subsequent 1907 Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. Today, the PCA is housed at the Peace Palace in The Hague and is comprised of 109 member countries.

20th Amendment to the US Constitution ratified

On February 6, 1933, the 20th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified by the requisite majority of states, moving the start of presidential, vice-presidential and congressional terms from March to January in an effort to shorten the problematic "lame duck" period.

Learn more about the 20th Amendment.