Commentaries by Katherine Simpson and Anthony Marcum

After Months of Legal Fights Over Mail Ballots, Michigan Should Widen Early Voting

After Months of Legal Fights Over Mail Ballots, Michigan Should Widen Early Voting

Katherine Simpson and Anthony Marcum

September 30, 2026 05:46:49 pm

The State of Michigan has an opportunity to go above and beyond the minimum for all its voters. Given the stakes of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections and the challenges it will likely present, Michigan must expand early in-person voting beyond the mandatory nine days, up to the full 29 days authorized by law. Nationwide, [...]

THIS DAY @ LAW

Communist Poland bans trade union Solidarity

Communist Poland banned the trade union Solidarity on October 9, 1982, two years after the union started a large-scale strike in the Gdansk shipyard, where it was founded. Solidarity would later become instrumental in the fall of communism in Poland. The union's leader, Lech Wałęsa, was later elected the first president of post-communist Poland in 1990. Learn more about the history of Solidarity.

Roger Williams banished from Massachusetts for preaching religious freedom

On October 9, 1635, separatist Roger Williams was banished from Massachusetts colony for preaching that civil government had no right to interfere in religious affairs. Read Williams' Plea for Religious Liberty.

Che Guevara executed

On October 9, 1967, communist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara was executed by Bolivian military officials for attempting to overthrow the government there. Learn more about the life of Che Guevara.

Roger Williams banished from Massachusetts for preaching religious freedom

On October 9, 1635, separatist Roger Williams was banished from Massachusetts colony for preaching that civil government had no right to interfere in religious affairs.

Read Williams' Plea for Religious Liberty.