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Connecticut passes the First Dissenter Statute
Connecticut passes the First Dissenter Statute and allows “full liberty of worship” to Anglicans and Baptists. -
John Peter Zenger accused of Slander
New York publisher John Peter Zenger tried for slander after publishing feedback of the Regal Senator of New York. John Peter Zenger is defended by Andrew Hamilton and cleared. His trial builds up the guideline that truth is a defense to slander and that a jury may decide whether a publication is defamatory or seditious. -
State of Virginia jails 50 Baptist
The State of Virginia puts 50 Baptist worshipers in jail for preaching the Gospel contrary to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. -
Ordinance of religious freedom adopted by Virginia legislature
The adoption of the ordinance of religious freedom meant that the anglican church was no longer the official church and that harassment due to religious differences was not allowed. -
Northwest Ordinance
Congress passed the NorthWest Ordinance which established government guidelines for colonization of new territory and also stated "Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary also to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." The U.S. Constitution was later ratified and is the oldest constitution still in use. -
John Mill Publishes the essay "On Liberty"
John Stuart Mill's essay expanded his belief that if speech is free then truth will eventually come out -
Engel v. Vitale
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that a state-composed, non-denominational prayer violates the the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. In Engel v. Vitale, the Court states that such a prayer represents government sponsorship of religion. -
Sherbert v. Verner case trial
In Sherbert v. Verner, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that South Carolina officials violated the free-exercise rights of Seventh-day Adventist Adele Sherbert when they denied her unemployment-compensation benefits because she refused to work on Saturday, her Sabbath day. -
U.S. Supreme Court reverses the murder conviction of Dr. Sam Sheppard
the U.S. Supreme Court reverses the murder conviction of Dr. Sam Sheppard because the trial judge failed to stop publicity surrounding the trial. In its opinion, the Court recognizes gag orders as a legitimate means of controlling pretrial and trial publicity. -
Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communication Commission
In Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communication Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court finds that Congress and the FCC did not violate the First Amendment when they required a radio or television station to allow response time to persons subjected to personal attacks and political editorializing on air. -
Congress passes the Flag Protection Act.
The act punishes anyone who “knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any U.S. flag …” -
44 Liquor Mart Inc. v. Rhode Island
The U.S. Supreme Court in 44 Liquor Mart, Inc. v. Rhode Island invalidates a state law forbidding advertising of liquor prices.
