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Jun 15, 1215
1215- The Creation of The Magna Carta
1215
Abuses by England’s King John cause a revolt by nobles, who compel him to recognize rights for both noblemen and ordinary Englishmen. This document, known as the Magna Carta, establishes the principle that no one, including the king or a lawmaker, is above the law, and establishes a framework for future documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. -
1628- The Petition of Right
1628
The Petition of Right is a statement of the objectives of the 1628 English legal-reform movement that leads to civil war and the deposing of King Charles I in 1649. This important document sets out the rights and liberties of the common man as opposed to the prerogatives of the crown and expresses many of the ideals that later led to the American Revolution. -
1641- The Adoption of the Massachusetts Body of Liberties
1641
The Massachusetts General Court formally adopts the first broad statement of American liberties, the Massachusetts Body of Liberties. The document includes a right to petition and a statement about due process. -
1663- The New Charter of Rhode Island
1663
The new Charter of Rhode Island grants religious freedom. -
1689- John Locke's Letter Concerning Toleration
1689
John Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration is published. It provides the philosophical basis for George Mason’s proposed Article Sixteen of the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, which deals with religion. Mason’s proposal provides that “all Men should enjoy the fullest toleration in the exercise of religion.” -
1708- Connecticut
1708
Connecticut passes the first dissenter statute and allows “full liberty of worship” to Anglicans and Baptists. -
1735- Zenger's Trial
1735
New York publisher John Peter Zenger is tried for libel after publishing criticism of the Royal Governor of New York. Zenger is defended by Andrew Hamilton and acquitted. His trial establishes the principle that truth is a defense to libel and that a jury may determine whether a publication is defamatory or seditious. -
1771- Virginia
1771
The State of Virginia jails 50 Baptist worshipers for preaching the Gospel contrary to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. -
1774- Massachusetts
1774
Eighteen Baptists are jailed in Massachusetts for refusing to pay taxes that support the Congregational church. -
1776- The Virginia Declaration of Right's
1776
Virginia’s House of Burgesses passes the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The Virginia Declaration is the first bill of rights to be included in a state constitution in America. -
1776- The Adoption of The Declaration of Independence
1776
The Continental Congress adopts the final draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. -
1777- Thomas Jeffersons draft of The Origin of the Virginia Ordinance for Religious Freedom
1777
Thomas Jefferson completes his first draft of a Virginia state bill for religious freedom, which states: “No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever.” The bill later becomes the famous Virginia Ordinance for Religious Freedom.