1983 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1983 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 10 Jan New York Supreme Court issues injunction against Yankees' relocation of home opener to Denver: On January 10, 1983, the New York Supreme Court issued a preliminary injunction preventing the New York Yankees from relocating their season-opening series against the Detroit Tigers to Denver. The Yankees had sought to move the games due to concerns that renovations at Yankee Stadium would not be completed in time. The court's decision was based on the city's efforts to ensure the stadium's readiness and the terms of the lease agreement requiring home games to be played at Yankee Stadium through 2002. source: mlb.com
- 19 Jan Klaus Barbie arrested in Bolivia for war crimes: Klaus Barbie, a former Nazi officer known as the 'Butcher of Lyon,' was arrested in Bolivia on January 19, 1983. He was wanted for his role in the torture and deportation of French Jews during World War II. His arrest marked a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for war crimes committed during the Holocaust. source: britannica.com
- 25 Jan Klaus Barbie arrested in Bolivia: Klaus Barbie, known as the 'Butcher of Lyon' for his role as Gestapo chief in Lyon during World War II, was arrested in La Paz, Bolivia, on January 25, 1983. He was detained on charges of owing the state mining company $10,000 and violating immigration laws. Shortly after his arrest, the Bolivian government expelled him to France, where he faced trial for crimes against humanity. source: upi.com
- 31 Jan UK enacts mandatory seatbelt law for drivers and front-seat passengers: On January 31, 1983, the United Kingdom implemented legislation requiring all drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts. Prior to this law, approximately 60% of motorists ignored seatbelt advice. The legislation aimed to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries, with the Department of Transport estimating that it would save 1,000 lives annually. The law also introduced fines of up to £50 for non-compliance, with certain exemptions, including taxi drivers and drivers of electric delivery vehicles. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 02 Feb Giovanni Vigliotto's bigamy trial begins in Phoenix, Arizona: Giovanni Vigliotto, who admitted to marrying 105 women, began his fraud and bigamy trial in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 2, 1983. The trial attracted significant media attention, with numerous women testifying against him. Vigliotto was later convicted on all counts and sentenced to 34 years in prison. source: upi.com
- 05 Feb Klaus Barbie extradited to France to face war crimes charges: Klaus Barbie, former Gestapo chief in Lyon during World War II, was extradited from Bolivia to France on February 5, 1983, to stand trial for crimes against humanity. Known as the "Butcher of Lyon," Barbie was accused of deporting Jews to Auschwitz and torturing French Resistance members. His extradition followed years of efforts by Nazi hunters Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, who identified him in Bolivia in 1972. Barbie was convicted in 1987 and sentenced to life imprisonment. source: britannica.com
- 06 Feb Klaus Barbie extradited to France to face war crimes charges: Klaus Barbie, known as the 'Butcher of Lyon' for his role as Gestapo chief in Nazi-occupied France, was extradited from Bolivia to France on February 6, 1983. He faced charges for crimes against humanity, including the deportation and murder of thousands of Jews and resistance fighters during World War II. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 08 Feb Mickey Mantle Casino Restriction: Major League Baseball ordered legendary player Mickey Mantle to sever his ties with Claridge Casino, highlighting the sport's strict regulations regarding player conduct and potential gambling associations.
- 17 Feb Netherlands Constitution revised on February 17, 1983: On February 17, 1983, the Netherlands implemented a comprehensive revision of its Constitution, introducing significant changes to civil rights and liberties. This revision aimed to modernize the constitutional framework and enhance the protection of individual rights within the country. source: servat.unibe.ch
- 24 Feb Congressional Commission condemns Japanese American internment during WWII: On February 24, 1983, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians released its report, "Personal Justice Denied," condemning the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II as unjust and motivated by racism and xenophobia rather than military necessity. The report recommended reparations of $20,000 for each surviving internee. source: history.house.gov
- 25 Feb Concentration camp guard ordered deported: In February 1983, Feodor Fedorenko, a 75-year-old immigrant from Waterbury, Connecticut, was ordered deported after being stripped of his U.S. citizenship in 1981. Fedorenko had concealed his role as an armed guard at the Treblinka death camp during World War II, where he admitted to firing shots at prisoners attempting to escape. He was given 10 days to file an appeal, with potential deportation occurring within two years. source: upi.com
- 11 Apr First 'Supergrass' trial in Northern Ireland: On April 11, 1983, the first 'Supergrass' trial in Northern Ireland commenced in Belfast. Fourteen members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) faced a total of 97 charges, including nine counts of murder. The trial was based on the testimony of Joseph Bennett, a former UVF member who turned informant. The convictions were later overturned on December 24, 1984, after the judge found Bennett's testimony to be 'unbelievable'. source: cain.ulster.ac.uk
- 14 May Roger J. Traynor, Notable American Judge, Dies: Roger J. Traynor, former Chief Justice of California, passed away on May 14, 1983, in Berkeley, California, at the age of 83. He served on the California Supreme Court from 1940 to 1970, including as Chief Justice from 1964 to 1970, and was known for his significant contributions to California jurisprudence. source: nndb.com
- 16 May London Police Introduce Wheel Clamps: In London, England, law enforcement began using wheel clamps as a method to penalize and immobilize vehicles parked illegally, marking a significant shift in urban parking enforcement strategies.
- 24 May Bob Jones University v. United States: On May 24, 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bob Jones University v. United States that the Internal Revenue Service could revoke the tax-exempt status of private educational institutions practicing racial discrimination, affirming that such practices are contrary to public policy. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 May Grand jury charges Rita Lavelle with contempt: On May 27, 1983, former EPA official Rita Lavelle was indicted for contempt of Congress after refusing to testify about Superfund toxic waste cleanups. She had been subpoenaed by a House subcommittee investigating allegations of political interference in the release of cleanup funds. Lavelle faced up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine for the misdemeanor charge. source: washingtonpost.com
- 15 Jun City of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health: On June 15, 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in City of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health, striking down several provisions of Akron, Ohio's abortion law, including a 24-hour waiting period and requirements for doctors to inform patients about fetal development and health risks. The Court found these provisions unconstitutional, affirming the right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade. source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 16 Jun Cork Graham Arrested While Treasure Hunting: Cork Graham was caught off the Vietnamese island of Phú Quốc while searching for legendary pirate Captain Kidd's buried treasure. He was subsequently convicted and imprisoned for illegal entry.
- 18 Jun Execution of ten Bahá'í women in Shiraz, Iran: On June 18, 1983, ten Bahá'í women were executed by hanging in Shiraz, Iran, for their religious beliefs. The youngest, Mona Mahmudnizhad, was 17 years old. The charges against them included 'misleading children' and 'spying for Israel.' Despite being offered the chance to recant their faith, all refused, leading to their execution. This event drew international condemnation and highlighted the persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran during that period. source: news.bahai.org
- 21 Jun Tony Ayala sentenced to 35 years in prison for sexual assault: On June 21, 1983, boxer Tony Ayala Jr. was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the New Year's Day rape of a 30-year-old woman in West Paterson, New Jersey. Ayala, 20, was convicted on April 13 of aggravated sexual assault and five other charges. He was ordered to serve at least 15 years before becoming eligible for parole. Ayala also faced potential additional time in Texas due to parole violations from a prior assault conviction. source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Jun Supreme Court invalidates legislative veto in INS v. Chadha: On June 23, 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in INS v. Chadha that the legislative veto, a mechanism allowing Congress to unilaterally overturn executive actions, violated the Constitution's separation of powers. This decision rendered such veto provisions in numerous laws unconstitutional, reinforcing the executive branch's authority and requiring Congress to follow the constitutionally prescribed process for enacting laws. source: washingtonpost.com
- 01 Jul High Court rules on the Franklin Dam Case: On July 1, 1983, the High Court of Australia ruled that the federal government had the authority to prevent the construction of the Franklin Dam in Tasmania, citing the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983. This landmark decision halted the dam project, preserving the Franklin River's wilderness area. source: peo.gov.au
- 06 Jul Supreme Court rules against sex-based pension plan discrimination: On July 6, 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers cannot offer pension plans that discriminate against women based on their longer life expectancy. The case involved Arizona's deferred compensation plan, which provided smaller payments to women under the assumption they would live longer than men. The Court held that such sex-based actuarial tables violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. source: washingtonpost.com
- 20 Jul US House censures Reps. Crane and Studds for sexual misconduct with pages: On July 20, 1983, the U.S. House of Representatives censured Reps. Daniel Crane (R-IL) and Gerry Studds (D-MA) for engaging in sexual relationships with 17-year-old congressional pages. Crane admitted to a relationship with a female page in 1980, while Studds acknowledged a relationship with a male page in 1973. Both were initially recommended for reprimand by the House Ethics Committee, but the full House voted to impose censure, a more severe punishment. Crane tearfully apologized to his colleagues, and Studds faced the censure with his back to the House, hands clasped behind him. This marked the first time in congressional history that censure was imposed for sexual misconduct. source: washingtonpost.com
- 02 Aug U.S. District Court begins trial on Yonkers race discrimination case: On August 2, 1983, the U.S. District Court commenced a 14-month trial to determine if the City of Yonkers and its Board of Education had intentionally segregated housing and schools based on race. The case, initiated in 1980, alleged that city officials and educators engaged in discriminatory practices, leading to racial segregation in housing and education. The trial concluded in 1984, with a ruling in 1985 that found the city and school board liable for unconstitutional segregation. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Aug Christine Craft awarded $500,000 in sex discrimination lawsuit: In August 1983, a federal jury in Kansas City awarded television anchor Christine Craft $500,000 in damages after she sued Metromedia Inc., alleging she was demoted from co-anchor to reporter due to being 'too old, unattractive, and not deferential enough to men.' The jury found in favor of Craft on fraud charges but did not find evidence of sex discrimination. Metromedia Inc. denied the allegations and planned to appeal the verdict. source: washingtonpost.com
- 19 Aug Billy Cannon convicted of counterfeiting: Billy Cannon, former LSU football star and Heisman Trophy winner, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and possession of counterfeit $100 bills in 1983. He was sentenced to five years in federal prison and fined $10,000. Cannon served nearly three years before being released on good behavior. source: latimes.com
- 23 Sep Argentina's military junta decrees amnesty law: On September 23, 1983, Argentina's military junta enacted an amnesty law, known as the National Pacification Law, granting immunity to military personnel and police involved in human rights abuses during the 'Dirty War' from 1976 to 1983. This law aimed to protect the armed forces from prosecution by a forthcoming civilian government. The decree was immediately condemned by major political parties and human rights organizations, who predicted its repeal once a civilian government took office. source: washingtonpost.com
- 12 Oct Former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka convicted in Lockheed bribery scandal: On October 12, 1983, former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka was found guilty by a Tokyo court of accepting a $1.6 million bribe from Lockheed Corporation. He was sentenced to four years in prison and fined an amount equivalent to the bribe. Tanaka maintained his innocence and announced plans to appeal the verdict. source: washingtonpost.com
- 22 Oct Marion Prison Incident: On October 22, 1983, two correctional officers were fatally stabbed at the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois. Thomas Silverstein, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, killed Officer Merle Clutts, while fellow inmate Clayton Fountain murdered Officer Robert Hoffmann. These incidents led to a 23-year lockdown at Marion and the establishment of the federal supermax prison, ADX Florence. source: upi.com
- 16 Nov Ginny Foat acquitted of 1965 murder charges: On November 16, 1983, Ginny Foat, former president of the California chapter of the National Organization for Women, was acquitted of charges related to the 1965 murder of Argentine businessman Moises Chayo. The prosecution's key witness, her ex-husband John Sidote, had previously implicated her in the crime, but his credibility was questioned due to his criminal history and the 18-year delay in bringing charges. Foat's defense argued that the case lacked sufficient evidence to convict. source: crimelibrary.org
- 01 Dec Rita Lavelle convicted of perjury in EPA scandal: Rita Lavelle, former head of the EPA's Superfund program, was convicted on December 1, 1983, of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to Congress about her involvement with Aerojet-General Corp. in the Stringfellow Acid Pits case. She was sentenced to six months in prison and fined $10,000. source: upi.com
- 15 Dec MLB suspends Kansas City Royals players for cocaine usage: On December 15, 1983, Major League Baseball suspended four players from the Kansas City Royals—outfielder Willie Wilson, first baseman Willie Aikens, outfielder Jerry Martin, and pitcher Vida Blue—for one year each due to their involvement in a federal cocaine investigation. All four had pleaded guilty to charges related to attempting to possess or possess cocaine. The suspensions were later appealed, and Wilson, Aikens, and Martin were reinstated on May 15, 1984, after serving three months in prison. Blue was not reinstated and was released by the Royals. source: upi.com
- 20 Dec El Salvador adopts new constitution on December 20, 1983: El Salvador's Constituent Assembly approved a new constitution on December 15, 1983, which came into effect on December 20, 1983. The assembly, formed in 1982, had been working on the new draft since April 1982, with the final version approved by a two-thirds majority. The constitution has undergone several amendments since its adoption. source: pcwcr.princeton.edu
- 31 Dec First African American NYPD Commissioner: Benjamin Ward made history by becoming the first African American police commissioner of the New York City Police Department, marking a significant milestone in diversity and representation in law enforcement. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
What happened in 1983?
Discover what the world looked like in 1983: