As airlines and airports are limiting operations across the globe, many airports are significantly less busy and noisy than usual. However, they are not completely quiet and there are reports that some commercial airplanes continue to fly, without passengers. In a recently-published report, Airport Noise Regulations, the Law Library of Congress looks at national strategies and rules for reducing noise from …
December 6, 1919, was the first year Finland celebrated its Declaration of Independence with a national holiday. That same year it also adopted the Constitution of 1919 officially making Finland a Republic with K.J. Stahlberg as its first president. This post describes the Constitution of 1919.
An overview of the Council of the European Union, including its powers and figurations, and especially an explanation of the Rotating Presidency whereby each EU member country holds the presidency of the council for a six month period.
On this day 170 years ago, the Danish King Frederik VII signed the Danish Constitution of 1849, creating a constitutional monarchy. Thus, today marks Grundlovsdagen (Constitution Day). Although a national and bank holiday, the day is not such a grand affair as Constitution Day of Norway. This year may be different, though, as Denmark holds its …
The first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest (Eurovision) is taking place today. Eurovision is a popular product of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which is made up of the public broadcasting networks of Europe. Twenty-six countries will compete to win in the grand finale being held on Saturday, May 18, in Tel Aviv, Israel. …
This Sunday, May 5, 2019, the Council of Europe (not to be confused with the European Union, the European Council, or the Council of the European Union) celebrates 70 years of existence. On May 5, 1949, representatives from Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom met in London and …
Tomorrow, November 30, 2018, marks the centennial of the signing of the Danish-Icelandic Forbundslov (Danish-Icelandic Union Act), which entered into force the following day on December 1, 1918. Iceland—originally a Norwegian province—had been a part of Denmark ever since Norway became a part of Denmark in the 14th century under Queen Margaret I. It remained part of Denmark …
Just over 100 years ago, on December 6, 1917, Finland officially declared independence from Russia. The Declaration of Independence had been signed on December 4 by the Senate (then Finland’s highest governing body) and was adopted by the Finnish Parliament two days later. Work towards independence had commenced in March 1917 following the abdication of the Russian tsar. In …
