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Jan 1, 604
The Seventeen Article Constitution of Japan
The Seventeen Article Constitution of Japan was issued by the Japanese prince regent Shotoku Taishi in order to set the morals and virtues that one should hold, and that the governement expected of them. It was not so much a set of laws, but rather a a Buddhist document to emphasize the prevention of disputes. For more info, see Seventeen Article Constitution -
Jan 1, 653
T'ang Code
The Tang Code was arguably the most cultured set of laws in its time, with a very strict structure; there was a punishment listed in association with every specific crime or offence over 501 articles. It is considered one of the greatest achievements in Chinese law as not much was different from it, up until the 19th century. For more information, click here -
Jan 1, 1100
First Law School
The first law school, the School of Glossators, was founded by an Italian legal scholar, Irnerius. He mostly taught the Corpis Juris Civilis, a subsection of Justinian's code. He succeeded in attracting students from all over the world, and greatly contributed to the revival of the Corpis Juris Civilis and the spread of Roman legal studies in Italy. For more information, see Irnerius -
Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
After taxing abusively, King John of England was forced into signing the Magna Carta on Jun 15, 1215, in order to prevent rebellion. It greatly reduced the power of the king, but became the basis for the citizen's rights of England in present time. The Magna Carta included a total of 37 english laws. For more information, see Magna Carta. -
The English Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was passed on December 16, 1689 by the Parliament of England. It was a re-statement of the Declaration of Rights which set strict restrictions on the rights and priveleges of the Royal Family. The English Bill of Rights is the precursor to the current American Bill of Rights. For more information, see The English Bill of Rights -
The Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials, which happened from June until September of 1692, involved 20 men and women being convicted of witchcraft, and therefore, hung to death. Many others were accused as well, for something that was caused more by hysteria, rather than basic logic and evidence. These unjust hangings should remind us to always safeguard our system of justice. For more information, see The Salem Witch Trials -
Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England
The commentaries on the Laws of England, written by Sir William Blackstone, has four volumes: the rights of persons, the rights of things, private wrongs, and public wrongs. They were immensely influential due to their easily-readable nature, and the fact that it justified most laws. For more information, see William Blakstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England -
The American Declaration of Independence
On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress declared that the 13 states at the time be independent of Great Britain through this legal document. It was also the first time that it was declared that nobody has the right to rule over any others, as all men are created equal. It is even to this day the most cherished symbol of liberty in America. For more information, see Declaration of Independence -
The Geneva Convention
The Geneva Convention was the agreement that established the standards of international law regarding the treatment of those capture in warfare. It mainly seeks to protect those that are wounded, POW's, civilians, and even medical personnel. Though it is not always followed, its importance lies in the fact that it sets our the basic standards for human decency during times of war. For more information, see Geneva Convention -
Justinian's Code
Justinian's Code was essentially a collection of all the Roman laws that existed at the time into one simple system of laws (or code). Justinian, being the emperor at the time, appointed 10 commissioners to write out this code and to make sure all laws and constitutions were included. This set of laws eventually became the basis for all laws in the Western civilization. For more info, see Code of Justinian (law).
