Arkansas River water use ruling [US SC] News
Arkansas River water use ruling [US SC]

Kansas v. Colorado, United States Supreme Court, December 7, 2004, majority opinion by Justice Breyer [ruling that Kansas is not entitled to seek further damages from Colorado for diverting water from the Arkansas River into Colorado farm lands]. Read the full text of the ruling here [PDF]. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

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.