Landmark

[irmamar]

What is "a landmark piece of legislation"?

A landmark piece of legislation in 1430 introduced a uniform county franchise.

Thanks.

[hermit]

This means legislation that stands out in history as having changed
antiquated laws and traditions for the better.

[irmamar]

Thanks, hermit.

[Awaken]

Hermit's definition is mostly correct. It is something so big and important that it will stand out in history. However, there is no implication that it is a good piece of legislation. In fact, many "pieces of landmark legislation" are horrible laws.

The key thing is that the legislation is a big deal and represents enough of a shift from the current system/laws that it will stand out in history. (See definition 4 below)

land·mark   
[land-mahrk] Show IPA
–noun
1.
a prominent or conspicuous object on land that serves as a guide, esp. to ships at sea or to travelers on a road; a distinguishing landscape feature marking a site or location: The post office served as a landmark for locating the street to turn down.
2.
something used to mark the boundary of land.
3.
a building or other place that is of outstanding historical, aesthetic, or cultural importance, often declared as such and given a special status (landmark designation), ordaining its preservation, by some authorizing organization.
4.
a significant or historic event, juncture, achievement, etc.: The court decision stands as a landmark in constitutional law

[irmamar]

Could I say "important laws" instead? (much easier ).

[chileno]

En este caso landmark = hito. (Just in case)

[irmamar]

Sí, pero un hito en una ley me parece algo raro. Otra cosa es que la ley fuera novedosa y se convirtiera en un hito, por ejemplo. Entiendo 'piece of legislation' como una ley concreta .

For instance I could understand as 'hito': That piece of legislation was (or became) a landmark at that time.

[Awaken]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Could I say "important laws" instead? (much easier ).

Yes. However, it doesn't carry the weight of saying "A landmark piece of legislation."

[chileno]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Sí, pero un hito en una ley me parece algo raro. Otra cosa es que la ley fuera novedosa y se convirtiera en un hito, por ejemplo. Entiendo 'piece of legislation' como una ley concreta .

For instance I could understand as 'hito': That piece of legislation was (or became) a landmark at that time.

Exactamente eso.

[irmamar]

OK, thank you.