This day in history - September 24

[seamusTX]

1789 - Congress passed the Judiciary Act, establishing the office of attorney general and the Supreme Court.

1869 - On one of several days known as "black Friday," financiers Jay Gould and James Fisk tried to corner the gold market, causing a panic that bankrupted many investors.

1960 - The USS Enterprise, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was launched at Newport News, Virginia.

1969 - The "Chicago Eight" trial began in Chicago. Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, Lee Weiner, and Bobby Seale were charged with inciting riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention the previous year. Judge Julius Hoffman presided.

Mr. Seale's unruly conduct led to him being bound and gagged during the trial. Eventually he was severed from the case, which then became the "Chicago Seven" trial.

The trial became the model for a "travesty of justice," with defendants mocking the judge and continual protests outside the courtroom.

Five of the seven defendants were found guilty, but their sentences were overturned on appeal. In the end, they suffered only time served.

(I had network problem yesterday, no thanks to Comcast.)

- Jim