Weimer Republic Constitution signed

Weimer Republic Constitution signed

July 31, 2009 03:00:00 am

On July 31, 1919, the Constitution of the German Reich was signed in Weimar, Germany as the country’s post-empire foundational law. The document set up a full democracy in Germany with a President, Parliament, and independent judiciary. It also made Germany the first nation to give women the right to vote. The so-called Weimar Republic lasted until the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1933.

Learn more about the Weimar Republic.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty took effect

On March 5, 1970, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty took effect after ratification by 43 countries. Read a brief history of the NPT.

Lynch v. Donnelly decided

On March 5, 1984, the US Supreme Court upheld a nativity scene built on public land by the City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The Court in Lynch v. Donnelly held that the creche did not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from passing any "law respecting an establishment of religion".