West Germany becomes a sovereign nation

On May 5, 1955, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) became a fully sovereign nation. Four days later on May 9, West Germany joined NATO. West Germany then became a founding member of the European Economic Community in 1958.

Read the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz), which served as the constitution of West Germany and became the governing document of the reunited Germany in 1990.

THIS DAY @ LAW

IOC expels 6 members for taking bribes

On March 17, 1999, the International Olympic Committee expelled six of its members for taking bribes. The preceding investigation revealed that the indicted officials had received over $800,000 in gifts and benefits from the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) before awarding the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City.

Roger Taney born

US Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney, author of the decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, was born in Calvert County, Maryland, on March 17, 1777.