Okay, let’s break down the information about “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session” and explain its significance.
What are the United States Statutes at Large?
Think of the United States Statutes at Large as the official, permanent collection of all the laws passed by the U.S. Congress in a specific order as they were enacted. It’s the chronological record of federal legislation. Each volume represents a specific session (or sessions) of Congress.
- Permanent Record: This is the official legal publication for federal laws.
- Chronological Order: Laws are printed in the order they were passed, not by subject matter.
- Official Citation: It’s how legal professionals (lawyers, judges, researchers) formally cite federal laws. When you see a citation like “56 Stat. 23” it means Volume 56 of the Statutes at Large, page 23.
- Precursor to the U.S. Code: The Statutes at Large are the raw, unprocessed laws. Later, these laws are organized by subject into the United States Code.
Understanding Volume 56: 77th Congress, 1st Session (1941)
This specific volume covers laws passed by the 77th Congress during its first session. Here’s the breakdown:
- Congress Number (77th): The United States Congress has been meeting in two-year terms since its inception. The 77th Congress covers the period from January 3, 1941 to January 3, 1943.
- Session (1st): Each Congress has two sessions – one each year. This volume only contains laws from the first year of the 77th Congress (1941).
- Time Period: Laws enacted in 1941 (specifically, the first session of the 77th Congress) are recorded within this volume.
- Historical Context: World War II Looms: The year 1941 was a pivotal year in American history. While the U.S. wasn’t yet fully engaged in World War II for the entire year (Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941), the country was rapidly mobilizing and passing legislation related to national defense, lend-lease programs to support allied nations, and preparing for potential involvement in the global conflict.
What Laws Would You Likely Find in Volume 56?
Because of the historical context, you would likely find laws related to:
- National Defense: Appropriations (funding) for the Army, Navy, and Air Corps; legislation to strengthen the military; and measures related to national security.
- Lend-Lease Act: Legislation related to providing materials and supplies to countries fighting the Axis powers (primarily Great Britain). This was a critical program before the U.S. formally entered the war.
- Economic Measures: Laws dealing with economic mobilization, resource management, and price controls in anticipation of wartime needs.
- Pre-War Preparedness: Legislation to bolster domestic infrastructure, transportation, and communication systems in anticipation of wartime needs.
- Other Domestic Matters: The government also continued to handle regular domestic affairs such as agriculture, infrastructure, and other necessary business.
Why Is This Important?
- Historical Record: It offers a crucial glimpse into the legal and political landscape of the United States at a critical moment in history.
- Legal Precedent: Laws passed during this period could still have legal relevance today (though many may have been amended or repealed). Courts and legal scholars may refer to these laws to understand the original intent behind certain legal concepts.
- Understanding the U.S. Legal System: It helps illustrate how federal law is created, documented, and organized.
Accessing the Information (GovInfo.gov)
The GovInfo.gov website is a valuable resource because it provides free access to official government publications, including the United States Statutes at Large. You can search for specific laws within Volume 56, or browse the volume as a whole.
In Summary:
“United States Statutes at Large, Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session” is the official record of federal laws enacted during the first session of the 77th Congress (1941). It is a primary source for understanding the legal response to the growing global crisis that would become World War II. These laws are invaluable for anyone researching American history, legal history, or federal legislation.
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session
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The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-05-09 13:10, ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session’ was published according to Statutes at Large. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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