Historical Events tagged with "eighth amendment"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Ireland Repeals Eighth Amendment on Abortion

May 25th, 2018 6 years ago

Irish citizens voted overwhelmingly to repeal the Eighth Amendment, which severely restricted abortion access. The referendum allowed voters to decide on whether to change the constitution, with a significant majority supporting the repeal. The movement for change was fueled by numerous cases highlighting the restrictions, including high-profile cases where women's health was at risk. The outcome marked a dramatic shift in Ireland's social policy and attitudes towards women's reproductive rights.

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Crime & Law

Supreme Court Upholds Lethal Injection Method

April 16th, 2008 17 years ago

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Baze v. Rees that the lethal injection method used for capital punishment does not infringe upon the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. This landmark case arose from concerns about the potential suffering caused by the three-drug protocol employed during executions. The decision, issued by a divided Court, reiterated the constitutionality of lethal injection as it relates to capital punishment in the United States, impacting future executions nationwide.

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Crime & Law

Supreme Court bans juvenile executions

March 1st, 2005 20 years ago

In a significant ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executing individuals for crimes committed while they were juveniles is unconstitutional. This landmark decision determined that the United States violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment when it sentences minors to death. The case stemmed from the 1993 conviction of Christopher Simmons, who was 17 at the time of his crime. The ruling was pivotal in reshaping the legal landscape surrounding juvenile justice and capital punishment.

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