'Wobblies' put on trial in Chicago

‘Wobblies’ put on trial in Chicago

March 23, 2010 04:00:00 am

On March 23, 1918, 101 leaders of the Industrial Workers of the World union (“The Wobblies”) were put on trial in Chicago for conspiracy to obstruct America’s participation in World War I.

Learn more about the Wobblies from the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

THIS DAY @ LAW

First US execution by gas

On February 8, 1924, Gee Jon, a Chinese man convicted of murder, was executed by gas in Nevada and became the first person in the United States to be put to death in that manner.

The Nevada state legislature had eliminated hanging and shooting as a method of execution in 1921, and had provided for execution by lethal gas instead. Nevada sent 32 convicts to the gas chamber between 1924 and 1979. Learn more about the history of executions by gas in Nevada.

Mary, Queen of Scots executed

On February 8, 1587, Mary I of Scotland was executed for involvement in a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I of England. Before execution, Mary denied three times assisting the Babington Plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth, and crown Mary as ruler of Great Britain. Mary's guilt or innocence is debated to this day. Learn more about the Babington Plot.