Key Events in US History: Constitution to WWII
A New Nation
- Through the framing of the U.S. Constitution and the creation of the United States, the government was divided into three branches: legislative (Congress), executive (the president and the federal agencies), and judicial (the federal courts).
- Including 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberties.
- George Washington, the first U.S. president, headed a party favoring a strong president and central government.
- Thomas Jefferson became the third president in 1801.
Spain’s Transition to Democracy: Key Events and Institutions
Spain’s Transition to Democracy
Following Franco’s death on November 20, 1975, Juan Carlos I was proclaimed King of Spain by the Cortes on November 22, 1975. Political forces were divided: those favoring continuity (the King continuing the existing regime) and those advocating for a transition to democracy.
The Transition Period
The period from Franco’s death to the ratification of the Constitution on December 6, 1978, is known as the Transition. Adolfo Suárez, appointed by the King in July 1976,
Read MoreSpain’s Progressive Biennium (1854-1856) and the Moderate Decade
The Progressive Biennium (1854-1856)
Conflict and Revolution
The period begins with a conflict between the government and the Count of San Luis and the Senate, with the latter emerging victorious. The Revolution of 1854 unfolded in two phases:
- Moderate Phase: Pronouncements in Alcalá (June 16) for generals Dulce and O’Donnell. The Battle of Vicálvaro between rebels and government troops brought progressives into action. The Manifesto of Manzanares (July 7), drafted by Cánovas del Castillo, advocated
The Spanish Civil War and the Basque Autonomy
The Civil War in the Basque Country
In 1936, the Basque Country was divided. Álava sided with the Nationalists, while Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa sided with the Republic. The Carlist Requeté played a decisive role in Álava and Navarre, where some right-wing military officers revolted. In Bizkaia, the governor remained passive. Basque nationalism largely aligned with the Republic.
The Defense Board of Gipuzkoa was composed of forces from the Popular Front, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), and the anarchist
Read MoreSurviving Animal Attacks: Leopard, Bees, Crocodile, Shark
Animal Attacks: When Wildlife Encounters Turn Dangerous
As humanity expands and natural habitats shrink, interactions with wild animals increase. While most encounters are peaceful, some unfortunately result in attacks. Here are four such incidents:
Leopard Attacks in India
Maharashtra, India, has seen a surge in leopard attacks. In January, three men were attacked by a leopard searching for food. Newspapers report a “leopard storm” as these attacks become more frequent. Habitat destruction forces
Read MoreFranco’s Spain: Pillars of the Regime and Political Evolution
Franco’s Spain: Basic Principles of the National Movement (1958)
This act, promulgated by the French and hailed by prosecutors, outlined the ideological principles of the regime as permanent and unalterable.
Organic Law of the State (1967)
This “pseudoconstitution” sought to modernize the regime. It strengthened the power of Franco and established a monarchy as a successor “of the national movement.” In 1969, Juan Carlos of Bourbon took the oath before the courts as heir to the Spanish crown.