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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
King John's constant abuse of the noblemen and civilians in England cause the people to force him to realize the unfairness of his treatment. A document is created, the Magna Carta which states that nobody even a king, is above the law. The Magna Carta's format shapes upcoming documents such as the Bill of Rights. -
Period: Jun 15, 1215 to
12 Monumental Events
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Virgina Declaration of Rights
Virginia's Dec. of Rights Originated by Thomas Jefferson, these rights later became the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. It is the basis of the Bill of Rights, complete with 16 sections stating basic rights for all citizens written by George Mason -
Virginia Ordinance of Religious Freedom
Written by Thomas Jefferson, the document of religious freedom prohibited any type of assault and harrasment towards others opposing different religious beliefs. It is a statement about freedom of conscience and the principle of the separation of church and state. This was the primary basis of the religious liberty aspect of the first amendment in the Bill of Rights. -
United States Constitution
First, congress passes the Northwest Ordinance which initially was just a law establishing guidelines for colonization of new territory, But it also provided that religion, morality and knowledge is a necessity and the education of children is most important in the government. With that, the U.S. Constitution was adopted and composed of a series of different law and rights and is still in use today. -
14th Amendment Ratified
This amendment was finalized, addressing citizenship rights and equal protection of the law. It also declares that "no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property." The amendment was proposed following the after effects of slavery after the American Civil War. -
Espionage Act
A U.S. federal law passed after the entry of Americans in World War I. It is created to prohibit interference with military operations or recruitment, to prevent insubordination in the military, and to prevent the support of U.S. enemies during wartime. Later, in response to this act, the American Civil Liberties Union is formed to preserve and defend individual rights. -
The Scopes Monkey Trial
A substitute high school teacher, John Scopes is accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act which made it unlawful to teach evolution in any state funded school. Scopes was found guilty and left educators faced with the controversy on whether modern science regarding the creation–evolution theory should be taught in schools. -
Office of Censorship
An emergency wartime agency after the bombing of Pearl Harbor set up to aid in the censorship of all communications coming into and going out of the United States. Censorship is still used in our government today. -
NAACP v. Alabama
The U.S. Supreme Court allows the NAACP of Alabama to withhold membership list from citizens of Alabama. The court states that the demand for the list violated the right of due process stated in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. -
Abington vs. Schempp
In Pennsylvania public schools, students were required to read at least ten verses from the Bible daily. School authorities then required all Abington Township students to recite the Lord's Prayer. The required activities violated on both the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment since the readings and recitations were essentially religious. -
Abood v. Detroit Board of Education
This court case argued the maintenance of a union shop in a public workplace and concluded that non members may be assessed dues for collective bargaining and admission. -
Child Online Protection Act
The Child Online Protection Act (COPA), which attaches federal criminal liability to the online transmission for commercial purposes of material considered harmful to minors, is enacted by Congress.
