Historical Events tagged with "law"

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.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Supreme Court Rules on Same-Sex Harassment

March 4th, 1998 27 years ago

The Supreme Court ruled that federal laws prohibiting workplace sexual harassment apply to same-sex harassment. In Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc., Anthony Oncale alleged he was subjected to sexual harassment by male co-workers while working on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico, leading to a landmark decision affirming protections against harassment regardless of the gender of the individuals involved.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

Kidnapping and Murder of Pai Hsiao-yen

April 14th, 1997 27 years ago

Pai Hsiao-yen, daughter of Taiwanese actress Pai Bing-bing, was kidnapped on her way to school in Taipei. The abduction drew significant media attention, capturing public outrage and prompting investigations into child safety. Unfortunately, her lifeless body was later discovered, leading to widespread mourning and demand for justice.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

Court Overturns Child Protection Provisions

July 29th, 1996 28 years ago

A U.S. federal court ruled that certain provisions designed to protect children online within the Communications Decency Act were overly broad. This ruling came as a response to concerns about the implications of such regulations for freedom of speech. The case highlighted the tension between protecting minors and upholding First Amendment rights, affecting how online content would be regulated in the future.

Continue Reading
Social Movements & Civil Rights

Supreme Court Rules on Gay Rights in Colorado

May 20th, 1996 28 years ago

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Romer v. Evans, finding unconstitutional a Colorado constitutional amendment that prohibited any protective legislation for LGBTQ+ individuals. The case arose after the Colorado electorate passed Amendment 2 in 1992, which aimed to prevent municipalities from enacting laws that would protect the rights of gays and lesbians. This ruling was significant in affirming the rights of LGBTQ+ people to secure equal protection under the law.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act Passed

April 24th, 1996 28 years ago

The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act was enacted in response to rising concerns over terrorism in the United States. The law aimed to streamline the process for federal authorities to combat terrorism and included significant changes to the death penalty procedures. It introduced tighter restrictions on habeas corpus petitions and focused on expediting the capital punishment process for individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges. This legislation was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

U.S. Congress Passes Communications Decency Act

February 1st, 1996 29 years ago

The Communications Decency Act (CDA) was enacted to regulate online content and protect minors from harmful materials on the internet. It was part of a broader telecommunications reform bill and included measures to restrict sexually explicit material. The law differentiated between various forms of communications and established the intent to safeguard children while navigating the complexities of a burgeoning digital age.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

Billy Bailey executed via hanging in Virginia

January 25th, 1996 29 years ago

Billy Bailey was executed by hanging in Virginia, marking the end of the practice of hanging as a method of execution in the United States. He was convicted of murder in 1990 and spent over six years on death row. Bailey's execution, which took place at the Greensville Correctional Center, was sanctioned by the state of Virginia, the last state to carry out a hanging. The execution followed a lengthy appeals process, and Bailey maintained his innocence until the end.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

Capture of Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, Carlos the Jackal

August 14th, 1994 30 years ago

Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, known as Carlos the Jackal, was apprehended in Sudan by French forces. A notorious terrorist and revolutionary, Carlos was infamous for his involvement in multiple high-profile attacks and kidnappings during the 1970s and 1980s. His capture was the culmination of a long international manhunt, which aimed to bring to justice one of the most wanted figures of his time, recognized for advocating Marxist-Leninist ideologies. French authorities sought his extradition, believing his trials would symbolize the end of an era of political violence.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

O. J. Simpson's Low-Speed Chase and Arrest

June 17th, 1994 30 years ago

O. J. Simpson was arrested following a dramatic low-speed car chase on national television. The chase began in a white Ford Bronco, driven by his friend Al Cowlings, as it traveled through Los Angeles. Police were pursuing Simpson in connection with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. The chase captured the attention of millions across the United States, culminating in Simpson's eventual surrender at his home. The chase became a media spectacle, reflecting societal interests in celebrity culture and crime.

Continue Reading