US Congress approves first Patent Act

On April 10, 1790, Congress approved the US’s first Patent Act. The Patent Act of 1790 allowed inventors to maintain “sole and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using and vending to others” a patented invention for fourteen years. The Act furthermore created the US Patent Board, the precursor to the modern US Patent Office.

Read the current US Patent Law from the Cornell University Law School.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Justice Kennedy born

On July 23, 1936, US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy was born in Sacramento, California. Learn more about Justice Kennedy's rise to the Supreme Court.

Province of Canada created

On July 23, 1840, the Act of Union was passed, creating the British province of Canada. The Act took effect on February 10, 1841.