8 Soviet Republics Sign Economic Treaty - October 1991

Pres. Mikhail Gorbachev and the presidents of 8 Soviet republics signed an economic union treaty in Moscow, October 18, that declared "private ownership, free enterprise, and competition" to be the "basis for economic recovery." The presidents of 4 other republics---Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldavia, and Ukraine---boycotted the signing. The Ukrainian parliament voted, October 22, to create an independent armed force that would have a strength of at least 400,000. The Ukranian government announced, October 23, that it would henceforth conduct its own economic transactions with other countries.

Oklahoma Bomb Trial Moved to Colorado - February 1996

In a decision publicly released, February 20, a federal judge granted a defense motion requesting that the trial of 2 suspects in the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City be moved to Colorado. The bomb that had exploded in April 1995 had killed 168 people. Subsequently, 2 men, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, had been charged in the crime. Judge Richard Matsch noted that while relatives of the victims wanted to attend the trial, prejudice against the accused ran high in Oklahoma.

South Africa Adopts Permanent Constitution - May 1996

The Constitutional Assembly in South Africa, May 8, approved a new constitution to replace the 1993 interim constitution. Under the interim charter, which ended the era of racial separation, or apartheid, the leading black and white parties had joined in a coalition government. The new constitution's bill of rights banned discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, marital status, pregnancy, and sexual orientation. All citizens were guaranteed freed of speech. movement, and political activity, as well as adequate housing, food, health care, and education. Deputy Pres. F.W. de Klerk, who had led the last white government, announced, May 9, that his National Party, while supporting the new constitution, would pull out of the ruling coalition and go into opposition.

Thatcher Wins 3rd Term in Britain - June 1987

For the first time since the 1820s, a British prime minister was elected to a third consecutive term. Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative Party, which had first come to power in 1979, swept to victory, June 11, in parliamentary elections. The Tories ran on a record of having reducing taxes, inflation, and labor strife. Thatcher's party won 375 seats in Parliament, a slight decline from 392 in the old Parliament. Labour won 229 seats and the centrist Alliance of the Liberal and Social Democratic parties won 33 seats. In the popular vote, the results were closer: Tories 42 percent, Labour 33 percent, and the Alliance 23 percent.