Cuba suspended from OAS

On January 22, 1962, the Organization of American States (OAS) suspended Cuba from the group, following a communist revolution in the island nation. The OAS voted to reinstate Cuba on June 3, 2009, but the Cuban government rejected the offer almost immediately.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Confederate rebels' voting rights restored under amnesty

On May 22, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the General Amnesty Act, allowing all but about 500 Southern male voters denied voting rights as a punishment for rebellion under the XIVth Amendment to regain their right to vote and hold office. General amnesty was finally made universal on June 6, 1898.

Sri Lanka constitution ratified

On May 22, 1972, the former British colony of Ceylon ratified a new constitution, becoming the Republic of Sri Lanka.