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Law

Gregory "Joey" Johnson, holds a flag sent to him by an unknown well-wisher in New York, Wednesday, June 28, 1989.

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Five Things to Know About the Case That Made Burning the Flag Legal

It’s a grand old flag—here’s why the right to burn it was affirmed in 1989

People crossing a Tokyo street are caught in a mirror. As the country's foreign population grows, racism is thought to be on the rise.

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Why Japan Is Asking Foreigners About Racism

Just how widespread is racism in Japan? An unprecedented survey aims to find out

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How Giant Rats Could Stop Illegal Wildlife Trade From Squeaking By

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently awarded grants for some innovative ways to combat wildlife trade

Christopher Isherwood and poet W.H. Auden (right) were romantic partners, but their sexual relationship in the 1930s was punishable by criminal prosecution in England.

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New U.K. Law That Would Pardon Gay Men Once Convicted of Sex Crimes Fails in Parliament

The private member’s bill will not go ahead

Making the Case for the Next American Saint

Sister Blandina Segale showed true grit while caring for orphans and outlaws in New Mexico

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Obama Just Signed a Law Mandating Diaper Changing Tables in Men’s Restrooms

The BABIES Act will put changing tables in men’s rooms in public, federal facilities

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Landmark Settlement Seeks to Address Decades of Harassment Faced by Female Mounties

The historic apology to women in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police comes with steps to prevent future abuse

Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Oren Lyons, Ph.D., (right), and The Tadodaho of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chief Sidney Hill, examine a treaty at the National Museum of the American Indian

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Why the U.S. Government Is Paying Half a Billion in Settlements to 17 Tribal Governments

That adds to 95 cases the U.S. has settled with native groups since 2012

Scaly, ant-eating mammals, pangolins curl up when they're scared.

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Over 180 Countries Just Approved a Ban on Pangolin Trafficking

It’s a big win for a weird little creature

Al Capone's criminal record in 1932. Despite a litany of charges, he ended up being nabbed for tax evasion.

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This Letter Tells What Al Capone Was Up to in Alcatraz

Two words: prison band

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Mexican Police Raid Sawmills to Protect Monarch Butterfly Habitat

Federal authorities closed down seven illegal logging operations near the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán

Oscar Wilde spent two years in what was then called Reading Gaol.

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A British Jail Is Paying Artistic Tribute to Oscar Wilde, its Most Famous Inmate

Patti Smith, Ai Weiwei and others envision what it’s like to be Inside

The hate crime that killed Matthew Shepard was the impetus for a new choral work.

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A New Choral Work Was Inspired by the Death of Matthew Shepard

“Considering Matthew Shepard” finds hope inside a story of hate

The low wages in the neighborhoods around Hull House can be seen in these maps, which illustrate income based on household. Each square shows an apartment building, and incomes are shown on the legend below. Black squares earned just $5 a week or less.

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These Early Infographics Illustrated the Plight of America’s Poor

Florence Kelley used hard numbers to effect change

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See the Marriage License From the Historic Loving Decision

Visitors can see the document that led to the Supreme Court case that overturned laws barring interracial marriage in the U.S. on display

If your book has a stamp like this, it's probably way overdue.

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Alabama Library Plans to Enforce Strict Overdue Book Ordinance

You could face a fine or even spend a night in jail for keeping books too long

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New York’s Highest Court Has Expanded the Definition of What it Means to Be a Parent

Under New York law, parental rights have now become more inclusive

This marker denotes both the highest point in Finland and the border with Norway.

Norway Wants to Give Finland a Mountain

If the country succeeds, it will be the world’s best 100th-birthday gift

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine protects over 87,000 acres of land.

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Maine Just Got the Nation’s Newest National Monument

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument could one day become a national park

The Torrance County Prison in Estancia, New Mexico is operated by CCA, a private prison company. It will not be affected by the DOJ's new phaseout of private federal prisons.

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DOJ Will Say Goodbye to Private Federal Prisons

Private facilities for federal inmates will be phased out—but state use of the practice remains

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