Pataki to veto emergency contraception bill News
Pataki to veto emergency contraception bill

[JURIST] New York Governor George Pataki [official website] said late Sunday that he will veto legislation that would permit women to purchase the "morning-after" pill [Wikipedia backgrounder] without a prescription, a decision criticized by pro-choice groups as simply an effort to build conservative support for a 2008 presidential run. A similar bill was vetoed last week [JURIST report] by Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney [officil website], who is also thought to be contemplating a presidential bid. Though Pataki's announcement last week that he would not seek a fourth term as governor [press release] was widely seen as a first step towards running for a national office, Republican strategists have said that his past support for abortion, gay rights, and strict gun-control laws will make it difficult for him to attract conservatives. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

US spy Nathan Hale executed in New York

US spy Nathan Hale was executed on September 22, 1776 after he was captured by British forces during the American Revolutionary War. Hale went to British-occupied New York City to gather intelligence on military operations. He was captured and executed within a month, purportedly declaring "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" before his death at the age of 21. Learn more from the American Battlefield Trust.

Eight executed for witchcraft in Salem

On September 22, 1692, two men and six women were executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. Read more about the Salem witchcraft trials in JURIST's Famous Trials series.

Queen Victoria becomes the longest-reigning monarch in UK history

On September 22, 1896, Queen Victoria became the longest-reigning monarch in English history. One of the country's most successful rulers, Victoria oversaw the expansion of the British Empire to its greatest height of power during her reign of 63 years and 7 months. Read Victoria's speeches to the British Parliament from Archive.org.