Arab League formed

On March 22, 1945, the League of Arab States was formed in Cairo, Egypt to promote the cultural and political interests of the Arab World. Since then, the original six-nation roster of Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Transjordan (now Jordan), Lebanon, and Iraq has now expanded to 22 member states.

Read the Charter of the League of Arab States and a profile of the Arab League from the BBC.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt born

Carrie Chapman Catt, suffragist, womens' rights advocate and co-founder of the League of Women Voters, was born on January 9, 1859.

Visit the Carrie Chapman Catt Childhood Home.

Great Britain's first income tax introduced

On January 9, 1799, British Prime Minister William Pitt introduced Great Britain's first income tax. The tax was announced the previous December as a means of raising money for war against Napoleon. Pitt's successor, Henry Addington, repealed the tax when hostilities subsided in 1802. Addington then reinstated the tax during the following year when fighting was renewed. The Addington tax model later became the model for the modern British income tax. Learn about the history of income taxation in Great Britain from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs.