Iran Beirut Marines barracks bombing compensation ruling [US DC] News
Iran Beirut Marines barracks bombing compensation ruling [US DC]

Deborah D. Peterson et al. v. Islamic Republic of Iran, US District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Royce Lamberth, September 7, 2007 [ruling that Iran must pay $2.65 billion to compensate the families of 241 US military personnel killed in the 1983 bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut]. Read the full text of the memorandum opinion [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.