European Parliament endorses EU constitution News
European Parliament endorses EU constitution

[JURIST] The European Parliament [official website] Wednesday overwhelmingly endorsed the first proposed EU constitution [official European Convention website; PDF text]. Parliamentarians passed a resolution backing the constitution 500-137 in an initial stage of a ratification process that is expected to last up to two years. Read the European Parliament press release on the vote. The constitution will only come into effect if all 25 EU member states ratify it. Only two countries, Lithuania and Hungary, have as yet ratified the constitution. Ratification remains controversial in many key countries, such as France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Poland. The EU constitution was agreed upon last July, after a lengthy drafting process. Reuters has more. In a related story, the Spanish parliament today voted to authorize the Spsnish government to hold the first national referendum on the EU constitution on February 20. The vote will be non-binding. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty extended indefinitely

On May 11, 1995, over 170 signatory nations agreed to extend the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) indefinitely. The NPT is an agreement signed by 189 countries to control the spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear technology based on the principles of disarmament, non-proliferation, and the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The treaty was opened for signature in 1968 with a provision for review conferences every five years. During the 1995 review conference in New York City, member countries decided to keep the treaty open indefinitely. Learn more about the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty from the United Nations.

Massachusetts repealed law banning Christmas

On May 11, 1682, the Massachusetts General Court repealed two laws that had banned the celebration of Christmas and had authorized capital punishment for expelled Quakers returning to the colony. Learn more about the state's ban on Christmas.