Commentaries by Lawrence Friedman

Politics By Other Means—How The People of Kansas Cannot Win

July 1, 2015 07:00:15 am

JURIST Guest Columnist Lawrence Friedman of New England Law | Boston discusses how the 2015 Kansas bill is a no-win situation for the people of Kansas... Constitutional litigation is, in a sense, politics by other means. Advocates of individual rights...

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THIS DAY @ LAW

Sewing machine patented

On September 10, 1846, United States patent number 3640 was awarded to Elias Howe for his sewing machine. In 1854, Howe brought legal action against Isaac Singer, because he alleged Singer's machine infringed upon the patent. Howe won the case and was awarded royalties from the Singer sewing machines.
Learn more about Elias Howe from the University of Rochester.

Last French execution by guillotine

On September 10, 1977, Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian immigrant convicted of murder, became the last person executed by guillotine in France.

The French death penalty was formally abolished by President Francois Mitterand in 1981. Learn more about the history of the guillotine.