Federal law authorizing state same-sex marriage bans upheld News
Federal law authorizing state same-sex marriage bans upheld

[JURIST] The US District Court for the Middle District of Florida Wednesday upheld a federal law allowing states to ban same-sex marriages. The ruling is believed to be the first to formally uphold the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act [THOMAS text; Wikipedia article]. The case arose from the claims of two women [St. Petersburg Times backgrounder] who wanted their Massachusetts same-sex marriage [MA Trial Court Law Libraries materials] acknowledged by the state of Florida, where the state law [text] specifically bans same-sex unions. Ellis Ruben, the attorney representing the women, has vowed to take their case to the US Supreme Court. Judge James S. Moody [official profile] wrote that the government has a legitimate interest in banning same-sex marriages to promote "stable relationships" for children. The full text of the ruling is not yet available online. AP has the full story.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Hitler and Nazis attempt failed coup in Beer Hall Putsch

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted an ill-faited coup in Munich, Germany on November 8, 1923. Instead of seizing power, the conspirators suffered 15 casualties and their leaders were arrested, including Hitler. The future dictator would spend a year in prison as a result, where he would write his infamous Mein Kampf. Learn more about the Beer Hall Putsch.

Oregon legalized physician-assisted suicide

On November 8, 1994, Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act by voter initiative, becoming the first US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Read the Death With Dignity Act,

France government opens the Louvre as a public museum

On November 8, 1793, the revolutionary government in France opened the Louvre for the first time as a public museum. Learn more about the history of the Louvre.