India constitution ratified

On January 26, 1950, India ratified its constitution, formally creating a republic. On the same day, Rajendra Prasad was inarguated as the republic’s first president. The anniversary is celebrated today as Republic Day in India.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Senate declares Napoleon Emporer of France

On May 18, 1804, the French Senate declared Napoleon Bonaparte Emperor of France.

Supreme Court upheld segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson

On May 18, 1896, the US Supreme Court ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson that racially separate but equal facilities were constitutional. This ruling was later overturned by the court in 1954's Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.