Northern Ireland votes to remain in UK

On March 9, 1973, residents of Northern Ireland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. 98 percent voted in favor of the referendum, but only 57% of the population participated. Catholic voters overwhelmingly boycotted the vote and The Troubles continued in Northern Ireland until the Good Friday Agreement, which provides for Northern Ireland’s union with the United Kingdom until a majority of its population votes otherwise.

Read a history of the conflict in Northern Ireland from the University of Ulster.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Amsterdam Treaty signed, broadening scope of EU

On October 2, 1997, European Union delegates signed the Amsterdam Treaty, which broadened the scope of the international organization. It amended previous EU treaties to expand the power of the EU Parliament, start the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and prepare for the influx of post-Communist countries in Eastern Europe.

Thurgood Marshall becomes first African-American Supreme Court justice

On October 2, 1967, civil rights attorney Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first African-American Supreme Court justice Learn more about Marshall and his career from the Library of Congress.