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Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
On September 17, 1809, 210 years ago today, Sweden and Russia signed the Treaty of Fredrikshamn (Finnish: Hamina), marking the end of the Finnish war of 1808-1809 and also the end of the Sweden-Finland era. Finland had been part of Sweden since 1323, when another peace treaty between Novgorod (Russia) and Sweden, the Peace of Pähkinäsaari …
Posted in: Global Law, Law Library
Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
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.
Posted in: Global Law, Law Library
Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
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 …
Posted in: Global Law, Law Library
Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
Two hundred thirty years ago today, on May 15, 1789, the Swedish Supreme Court was created by a royal regulation (Kongl. Maj:ts Rådige Förordnande för Des Högste Domstol eller Justitiae Revision af den 15 maj 1789). The Swedish king, Gustav III (known as the Masquerade King), abolished the Council of the Realm (Riksråd) and created …
Posted in: Global Law, Law Library
Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
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. …
Posted in: Collections, In the News
Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
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 …
Posted in: Global Law, Law Library
Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
This upcoming Sunday, January 25, 2019, marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day to commemorate the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Right here in Washington DC, the Holocaust museum is located at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW. In fact, there are a number of Raoul Wallenberg plazas, memorials, streets, and esplanades, around the …
Posted in: Global Law
Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
Today, December 6, marks Independence Day in Finland. Although Finland is known as “the land of a thousand lakes,” it is also the most heavily-forested country in Europe. Around 72% of Finland’s land area is covered by forests, whereas 10% of the country is covered by lakes. With 60% of Finnish forests being classified as privately-owned forests, it …
Posted in: Collections, Global Law
Posted by: Elin Hofverberg
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 …
Posted in: Global Law, In the News