Spain votes to be a democracy

On November 18, 1976, the largely-appointed Parliament of Spain voted to transition to elective democracy. The vote came almost a year after the death of dictator Francisco Franco, who had governed the nation since 1936.

Learn more about the Spanish transition to democracy.

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.