Scopes Trial

By mschlaff
  • Charles Darwin's Origin of Species is Published

    Charles Darwin's Origin of Species is Published

    Darwin argues in his introduction that, "the view which most naturalists entertain, and which I formerly entertained — namely, that each species has been independently created — is erroneous."

  • Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man is published

    In this work, Darwin directly addresses the debate over the origin of mankind, arguing that "man is descended from a hairy, tailed quadruped, probably arboreal in its habits, and an inhabitant of the Old World."

  • A Civic Biology is Published

    This is later used as textbooks in Dayton, Tennesee.
  • William Jennings Bryan becomes a leader in the anti-evolution movement.

    William Jennings Bryan becomes a leader in the anti-evolution movement.

    He delivered speeches titled, "The Menace of Darwinism" and "The Bible and its Enemies".

  • Rep. Butler Calls for a ban of Teaching Evolution in Schools

  • The Butler Act is passed with a 71 to 5 vote by the House.

  • Tennesee Senate Approves the Butler act with a 24 to 6 vote.

  • The Butler Act is put into Law.

  • ACLU Seeks Tennesee Teachers to Challenge the Butler Act

  • Town Leaders in Dayton, TN Convince John Scopes to be put on Trial

    The town leaders come up with a plan to bring attention to Dayton, and convince football coach John Scopes to stand trial even though he has only substituted for biology a few times.
  • Scopes is Indicted by Jury for Breaking the Butler Act

    Scopes is Indicted by Jury for Breaking the Butler Act

  • The Trial Begins with Jury Selection

  • Period: to

    Scopes Trial Case

  • Darrow Tries to Convince Jury that the Butler Act is Unconstitutional

    Darrow Tries to Convince Jury that the Butler Act is Unconstitutional

  • Darrow Objects to Opening the Trial with a Prayer.

  • Scopes is Declared Guilty

    Scopes is declared guilty and had to pay a fine of $100.

  • Bryan Dies in his Sleep in Dayton

  • The Appeal in the Scopes Trial Begins.

  • A New Civic Biology is Published

    A New Civic Biology is an updated version of the biology book used in the Dayton high school where Scopes taught.

  • Clarence Darrow Dies at age 80.

  • Inherit the Wind is Performed of Broadway.

    Inherit the Wind is Performed of Broadway.

  • Inherit the Wind Movie is Filmed and Scopes is Handed the key to Dayton, TN.

    Inherit the Wind Movie is Filmed and Scopes is Handed the key to Dayton, TN.

  • Scopes Publishes Center of the Storm

    Center of the Storm is his memoir of the trial.

  • The Butler Act is Repealed

  • John Scopes dies at the age of 70

  • School Boards are Still Debating over how to Teach Evolution in Schools.