This week in history. . .

November 24, 1993:

Washington, D.C.

The Brady Handgun-Control Bill was passed in Congress. It was a result of the attempted assassination of former President Ronald Reagan, when one of his aides was shot.

November 25, 1917:

Russia

The last free election for a constituent democratic assembly for over half a century was held in Russia after Czar Nicholas II abdicated the throne. When the Bolshevik Communists were voted into less than a third of the seats, they forcefully suppressed the assembly when it convened the following January.

November 27, 1095:

Vatican

Pope Urban II called for a crusade to free the Holy Land from Islamic rule. His Holiness promised that every soldier who participated would be absolved of all their sins.