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Posted by: Francisco Macías
As Connie Johnson mentioned in a post earlier this month, the Law Library commemorated Human Rights Day this year by hosting an engaging panel discussion. In keeping with the theme of human rights, I thought it fitting to highlight a historic set of legal instruments that capture a case of well-meaning reaction against a historical …
Posted in: Global Law, Law Library
Posted by: Jeanine Cali
While visiting family recently in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I paid a visit to the Albright Memorial Library in the city’s downtown. The high-pitched roof and gray limestone of this building bring back memories of the seemingly countless hours I spent studying during high school, when, sadly we did not even have dial up internet. It is …
Posted in: Law Library
Posted by: Barbara Bavis
While for years immigration has been a much-debated political topic, several issues have caused a recent increase in press attention, including: (1) numerous attempts to pass the DREAM Act in Congress; (2) the recent success of Question 4 in Maryland; and (3) the June 15, 2012 memorandum by Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security …
Posted in: Law Library, Research Guide
Posted by: Robert Brammer
Continuing with our unusual laws series, we turn to Tudor Vermin Acts. These acts allowed officials to hinder the growth of vermin by placing a bounty on nuisance animals, creating an incentive for private citizens to take it upon themselves to eradicate what were believed to be agricultural pests. Since the United States inherited its common …
Posted in: Education, Law Library
Posted by: Barbara Bavis
Although they are not specifically mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, Executive Orders have been considered one of the President’s powers since George Washington’s administration. Executive Orders are exactly what they sound like—orders produced by the President, as head of the executive branch, that are “generally directed to, and govern actions by, Government officials and agencies.”[1] …
Posted in: Education, In the News, Law Library, Research Guide
Posted by: Margaret Wood
The following is a guest post by Barbara Bavis and Robert Brammer, both legal reference librarians in the Public Services Division of the Law Library of Congress. The 2012 Presidential election is projected to be close, and attention has turned to whether the Electoral College may diverge from the popular vote in shaping the outcome …
Posted in: Congress, Education, Guest Post, In the News
Posted by: Nathan Dorn
New Jersey was once “the Two Jerseys” (East and West). Kentucky started out as Virginia’s backyard. Connecticut once harbored imperial dreams—claiming a Western Reserve that stretched all the way to the banks of the Mississippi. The shapes of our States have a complex and unexpected history. It’s easy to forget that history owes a debt to …
Posted in: Collections, Education, Law Library
Posted by: Jeanine Cali
The following is a guest post by Dante Figueroa, Senior Legal Information Analyst at the Law Library of Congress. On Wednesday, March 21, 2012, I had the opportunity and pleasure to introduce Professor Katherine Aron-Beller at the presentation of her new book, Jews on Trial: The Papal Inquisition in Modena, 1598-1638. As previously posted on …
Posted in: Collections, Event, Guest Post
Posted by: Andrew Weber
The following is a guest post by David Mao, Law Librarian of Congress. He has previously guest posted on Rebellious Children and Witches. David has been previously interviewed in his role as the Deputy Law Librarian of Congress. Moving into my new office, I came across two curious artifacts in a drawer: a pair of old keys. One …
Posted in: Guest Post, Law Library