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Baptist worshipers go to jail for preaching the Gospel
In Virginia, 50 Baptist worshipers go to jail by the State of Virginia for preaching the gospel. -
Virginia approves Bill of Rights
Virginia becomes the 11th state to approve the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. This created the Bill of Rights, thus guaranteeing protection for U.S. citizens. -
Sedition Act of 1798 Expires
Congress lets the Sedition Act of 1798 expire, which included powers to deport immigrants and making it harder for new foreigners to vote. Thomas Jefferson pardons everyone convicted under the Act. -
Adoption of Gag Rules
The U.S. House of Representatives adopts gag rules, which limits the raising, discussion, consideration of a particular topic by member of a legislative, preventing discussion of antislavery. The House repeals these rules in 1844. -
On Liberty
John Stuart Mills publishes an essay, "On Liberty." The essay expands John Milton's argument that if speech is free and the search for knowledge unfettered, then eventually the truth will rise to the surface. Mill attempts to establish standards for the relationship between authority and liberty. -
14th Amendment created
The amendment requires that no state shall " deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without die process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The 14th Amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws and was proposed to issues related to former slaves following the American Civil War. -
Sedition Act of 1918
Congress passes the Sedition Act, which forbids spoken or printed criticism of the U.S. government, the Constitution or the flag. This Act extended the Espionage Act of 1917 to cover a broader range of offenses, notably speech and the expression of opinion that cast government or the war efforts in a negative light or interfered with the sale of government bonds. -
Scopes Monkey Trial
John Thomas Scopes, a school teacher, was found guilty of violating a Tennessee law, Butler Act, which prohibits teaching the theory of evolution in public schools. The trial dragged in intense national publicity; the case was seen as both a theological contest and a trial on whether "modern science" should be taught in schools. -
3 States Formalize Bill of Rights
Georgia, Massachusetts and Connecticut ratify the Bill of Rights. -
Smith Act
Congress passes the Smith Act, which makes it a criminal offense to advocate the violent overthrow of the government or to organize or be a member of any group or society devoted to such advocacy. -
No First Amendment Right on Radio
In National Broadcasting Co. vs. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that no one has a right to their First Amendment to a radio license or to monopolize a radio frequency. -
Stanley v. Georgia
In Stanley v. Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court rule that the 1st and 14th Amendments protect a person's " private possession of obscene matter" form criminal prosecution. Although broad authority to regulate obscene material, cannot punish private possession of such in an individual's own home.
