-
Declaration of Independence
The British colonists declared their independence from Great Britain and cited their grievances, including not being able to criticize their government without punishment. -
People v. Croswell
Croswell was arrested for libel for printing a story criticizing the president in his newspaper. His lawyer argued that truth should be a defense for libel, and although he was still convicted, the state of New York changed its law to allow truth as a defense against libel. -
Schenck v. United States
The court ruled that the government has a right to limit an individual's first amendment right during wartime or national chaos. -
Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire
The court decided that the first amendment does not protect "fighting words" or statements that cause an "immediate breach of peace" or an injury. -
West Virginia v. Barnette
The court ruled that it was unconstitutional to force students and teachers to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at school as it violates their right to freedom of speech. -
Tinker v. Des Moines
Student's right to protest political views while at school are protected under the first amendment after students were penalized for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. -
New York Times v. United States
The court ruled that a threat to national security was not a reason to ban the publication of classified documents about the Vietnam War (the Pentagon Papers). -
Island Trees School District v. Pico
The court ruled that a school district could not remove books from school libraries with content they did not agree with as it violates the freedom of speech. -
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
The court ruled that a school has the right to censor school-sponsored student led newspapers because they are a part of the school's curriculum. -
Texas vs. Johnson
Burning an American flag as a symbol of protest was ruled as protected under the first amendment. -
Virginia v. Black
A ban on burning crosses was found unconstitutional as it violates the 1st amendment, unless the burning of the cross is meant to intimidate or threaten another. -
Packingham v. North Carolina
The Court ruled that a North Carolina law that prohibited registered sex offenders from using social media violates the First Amendment as social media is widely used today.
