1988 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1988 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 13 Jan Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier: Supreme Court ruling on student expression: On January 13, 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier that public school officials have the authority to censor student speech in school-sponsored activities, such as newspapers, if their actions are "reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns." This decision established that student expression in these contexts is not fully protected under the First Amendment. source: latimes.com
- 27 Jan Senate Judiciary Committee approves Anthony M. Kennedy's Supreme Court nomination: On January 27, 1988, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Judge Anthony M. Kennedy's nomination to the Supreme Court. President Ronald Reagan had nominated Kennedy on November 11, 1987, to fill the seat vacated by Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr. The committee's favorable vote paved the way for Kennedy's confirmation by the full Senate on February 3, 1988. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 28 Jan Canada's Supreme Court strikes down abortion law: On January 28, 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the existing abortion law violated a woman's right to security of the person under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This landmark decision effectively decriminalized abortion in Canada, allowing women greater autonomy over their reproductive choices. The ruling has had a lasting impact on reproductive rights in the country. source: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
- 03 Feb Noriega indicted for drug trafficking: On February 3, 1988, General Manuel Antonio Noriega, Panama's military leader, was indicted by federal grand juries in Miami and Tampa, Florida, on charges of aiding international drug traffickers and money laundering. The Miami indictment accused him of providing protection to the Medellín Cartel in exchange for over $4.6 million, while the Tampa indictment charged him with assisting a U.S.-based marijuana-smuggling operation for a $1 million bribe. source: washingtonpost.com
- 05 Feb Noriega indicted on drug charges: On February 5, 1988, Panama's military leader, General Manuel Antonio Noriega, was indicted by federal grand juries in Miami and Tampa, Florida, on charges including racketeering, drug smuggling, and money laundering. The Miami indictment accused Noriega of accepting over $4.6 million in bribes from Colombia's Medellín Cartel to protect cocaine shipments and launder drug profits through Panamanian banks. The Tampa indictment charged him with assisting in the smuggling of over 1.4 million pounds of marijuana into the United States and accepting a $1 million bribe for allowing drug dealers to use Panama for smuggling and money laundering. These charges marked the first time a foreign leader was indicted in the U.S. for drug-related offenses. source: washingtonpost.com
- 10 Feb 9th Circuit Court challenges military's gay ban: On February 10, 1988, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Army's ban on homosexuals violated the constitutional guarantee of equal protection. The court held that homosexuals constitute a "suspect class" and that the Army's justifications for excluding them "illegitimately cater to private biases." This landmark decision was the first by a federal appeals court to declare discrimination against homosexuals unconstitutional under the equal protection clause. source: washingtonpost.com
- 11 Feb Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy appointed: Anthony Kennedy was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States by President Ronald Reagan on February 11, 1988. He served on the Court until his retirement in 2018, becoming known for his pivotal role in several key decisions, particularly regarding individual rights and the balance of power. source: supremecourt.gov
- 18 Feb Justice Anthony Kennedy sworn into U.S. Supreme Court: On February 18, 1988, President Ronald Reagan's nominee, Anthony Kennedy, was sworn in as the 104th Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Kennedy had been serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit since 1975 and was confirmed by the Senate on February 3, 1988, with a unanimous vote of 97-0. source: blogs.kentlaw.iit.edu
- 24 Feb Supreme Court protects satirical speech in landmark Hustler case: On February 24, 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell that parodies of public figures, even those intended to cause emotional distress, are protected by the First Amendment. The case involved a satirical ad depicting Reverend Jerry Falwell in a compromising situation, which the Court determined could not be reasonably interpreted as stating actual facts about him. source: law.cornell.edu
- 17 Mar Apple sues Microsoft over Windows GUI: On March 17, 1988, Apple Computer Inc. filed a lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation and Hewlett-Packard Company, alleging that their graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in Windows 2.03 and NewWave infringed upon Apple's copyrights. The dispute centered on the 'look and feel' of Apple's Macintosh operating system, which Apple claimed was protected by copyright. The case lasted several years, with the court ultimately ruling that Apple could not claim copyright protection for the general idea of a graphical user interface or the desktop metaphor, but only for specific original expressions. The court found that most of the similarities between Apple's and Microsoft's interfaces were either licensed or based on standard ideas, and that the remaining elements were not original to Apple. The lawsuit concluded with a ruling in favor of Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard, affirming that Apple's claims were largely without merit. source: computerhistory.org
- 25 Apr John Demjanuk sentenced to death for Nazi war crimes: On April 25, 1988, John Demjanuk was sentenced to death by an Israeli court for his role in Nazi war crimes during World War II. The trial was highly publicized and raised significant ethical and legal questions regarding justice for Holocaust survivors. Demjanuk's case remains a pivotal moment in discussions about accountability for war crimes. source: nytimes.com
- 02 May Pete Rose receives suspension from baseball: On May 2, 1988, Pete Rose, former Major League Baseball player and manager, was suspended from baseball for 30 days for gambling violations. This suspension was part of a series of disciplinary actions taken against Rose during his career. source: baseball-reference.com
- 14 May Carrollton bus collision tragedy: The Carrollton bus collision occurred on May 14, 1988, in Carrollton, Kentucky, resulting in the deaths of 27 people. It remains one of the deadliest bus accidents in U.S. history and raised awareness about bus safety regulations. source: nytimes.com
- 06 Jun U.S. government acknowledges Japanese-American internment during World War II: On June 6, 1988, the U.S. government officially acknowledged the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, a practice that led to the forced relocation and incarceration of approximately 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. This acknowledgment was part of a broader effort to address historical injustices and provide reparations to those affected. source: archives.gov
- 09 Jun Joseph Doherty deportation order issued: On June 9, 1988, the U.S. government issued a deportation order for Joseph Doherty, an Irish national and former member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). This order was part of a broader context of U.S. immigration policy regarding individuals associated with paramilitary organizations. The case drew significant media attention and public debate. source: nytimes.com
- 17 Jun Landmark product tampering murder case: The case of product tampering in 1986, which resulted in the death of a woman, led to significant legal changes and heightened awareness of consumer safety. The trial and subsequent media coverage brought attention to the dangers of product tampering. source: nytimes.com
- 20 Jun Supreme Court rules against club discrimination: On June 20, 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a landmark decision that private clubs could not discriminate based on race. This ruling was a significant step towards civil rights and equality, reinforcing the legal framework against discriminatory practices in private organizations. source: nytimes.com
- 02 Jul Catholic Church excommunicates traditionalist bishops: On July 2, 1988, the Vatican announced the excommunication of four bishops consecrated by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre without papal approval. This act was a significant moment in the ongoing tensions between traditionalist factions and the Catholic Church's leadership. source: nytimes.com
- 06 Jul Wrestler Jake Roberts Convicted of Battery: Professional wrestler Jake Roberts was convicted of battery, a legal incident that impacted his wrestling career and public reputation.
- 07 Jul United States nuclear test at Nevada site: On July 7, 1988, the United States conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. This test was part of a series of underground nuclear tests that the U.S. conducted during this period, contributing to ongoing debates about nuclear policy and disarmament. source: nytimes.com
- 06 Aug NYPD reform initiated after Tompkins Square Park incident: Following the Tompkins Square Park incident on August 6, 1988, the New York Police Department began implementing reforms aimed at improving community relations and policing practices. This event highlighted the need for change within law enforcement. source: nytimes.com
- 12 Aug Richard Thornburgh becomes US Attorney General: On August 12, 1988, Richard Thornburgh was sworn in as the United States Attorney General. He served under President George H.W. Bush and was known for his work on various legal reforms and issues during his tenure. source: justice.gov
- 16 Aug New York City's Windshield Washer Crackdown: Mayor Ed Koch announced plans to eliminate street-corner windshield washers, addressing urban street economy and public space management issues in New York City.
- 20 Aug Peru Joins Berne Convention: Peru becomes a member of the Berne Convention copyright treaty, signaling its commitment to international intellectual property rights and creative protection.
- 31 Aug MLB free agency ruling: On August 31, 1988, a significant ruling regarding Major League Baseball's free agency was made, impacting player contracts and team dynamics. This ruling was a pivotal moment in sports law. source: espn.com
- 02 Oct Mike Tyson and Robin Givens domestic dispute: On October 2, 1988, police responded to a domestic disturbance at the Bernardsville, New Jersey, home of boxer Mike Tyson and actress Robin Givens. Tyson reportedly threw furniture out of windows, prompting Givens and her mother to flee the residence. Givens declined to press charges, and no injuries were reported. source: upi.com
- 05 Oct Israel bans racist political party: On October 5, 1988, Israel's Supreme Court upheld a decision to ban the Kach party, which was deemed racist and inciting violence against Arabs. This ruling was significant in the context of Israeli politics, reflecting the country's ongoing struggle with issues of racism and democracy. source: bbc.com
- 19 Oct US Senate Protects Children's Television: The US Senate passed a bill to restrict advertisements during children's television programming, aiming to protect young viewers from excessive commercial influence.
- 09 Nov John N. Mitchell dies: John N. Mitchell, former U.S. Attorney General under President Richard Nixon, passed away on November 9, 1988. He was a key figure in the Watergate scandal and his death marked the end of an era in American political history. His legacy remains controversial due to his involvement in various political scandals. source: nytimes.com
- 14 Nov Robin Givens sues Mike Tyson: Actress Robin Givens filed a lawsuit against boxer Mike Tyson, alleging abuse during their tumultuous marriage. The case drew significant media attention and highlighted issues of domestic violence. source: nytimes.com
- 16 Nov Robin Givens files defamation lawsuit against Mike Tyson: Actress Robin Givens filed a $125 million defamation lawsuit against her estranged husband, boxer Mike Tyson, alleging that his statements in a November 7 interview were false and defamatory. source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Nov Botha grants reprieve to Sharpeville Six: South African President P.W. Botha commuted the death sentences of the Sharpeville Six, five men and one woman convicted for the 1984 lynching of a black councilman. The reprieve followed international pressure and a failed final appeal. source: washingtonpost.com
- 30 Nov Mike Tyson Lawsuit: A New York City furrier initiated a legal action against heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, seeking $92,000 in unpaid purchase fees. This lawsuit highlighted potential financial disputes involving high-profile athletes during the late 1980s.
- 15 Dec Mike Tyson sexual harassment lawsuit: On December 15, 1988, Lori Davis filed a lawsuit against boxer Mike Tyson, alleging that he grabbed her buttocks while she was dancing at a nightclub in New York. This incident occurred on the same night as a previous lawsuit filed by Sandra Miller, who accused Tyson of similar behavior at the same venue. source: latimes.com
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