Under reconstruction Commentary
Under reconstruction
Edited by: Bernard Hibbitts | JURIST Staff

This section of JURIST is undergoing revision. We apologize for any inconvenience. For scholarly commentary on recent legal news developments, please visit JURIST's Forum.

Opinions expressed in JURIST Commentary are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JURIST's editors, staff, donors or the University of Pittsburgh.
THIS DAY @ LAW

First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia

On September 5, 1774, the first assembly of the Continental Congress, forerunner of the US Congress, convened in Philadelphia to protest the so-called "Intolerable Acts" passed by the British Parliament. Review the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress.

France passes conscription law

On September 5, 1798, France promulgated a conscription policy with the passage of the Jourdan Law. The law instituted a draft for all males between the ages of twenty and twenty-five with exceptions for clergy, holders of public office, and certain students and industrial workers. The law also allowed the wealthy to pay for someone else to take their place in the military.