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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta Written
Abuses by England’s King John cause a revolt by nobles, who compel him to recognize rights for both noblemen and ordinary Englishmen. This document establishes the principle that no one, including the king or a lawmaker, is above the law. -
Charter of Rhode Island
The new Charter of Rhode Island grants religious freedom. -
John Zenger's Trial
New York publisher John Peter Zenger is tried for libel after publishing criticism of the Royal Governor of New York. Zenger is defended by Andrew Hamilton and acquitted. His trial establishes the principle that truth is a defense to libel and that a jury may determine whether a publication is defamatory or seditious. -
United States Begins
Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, making America an independent country -
Virginia state bill drafted
Thomas Jefferson completes his first draft of a Virginia state bill for religious freedom, which states: “No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever.” The bill later becomes the famous Virginia Ordinance for Religious Freedom. -
Ratification of the Bill of Rights
Virginia becomes the 11th state to approve the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, thereby ratifying the Bill of Rights. -
14th Amendment Ratified
The amendment, in part, requires that no state shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” -
Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire
The U.S. Supreme Court determines “fighting words” are not protected by the First Amendment, the Court defines “fighting words” as “those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of peace.” -
NAACP v. Alabama
The U.S. Supreme Court allows the NAACP of Alabama to withhold its membership list from Alabama lawmakers. In NAACP v. Alabama, the Court states that the demand by Alabama officials for the NAACP to provide them a membership list violates members’ associational rights. -
Tinker v. Des Moines
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that Iowa public school officials violated the First Amendment rights of several students by suspending them for wearing black armbands to protest U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The Court determines that school officials may not censor student expression unless they can reasonably forecast that the expression will cause a substantial disruption of school activities. -
Cohen v. California
In Cohen v. California, the U.S. Supreme Court reverses the breach-of-peace conviction of an individual who wore a jacket with the words “F— the Draft” into a courthouse. The Court concludes that offensive and profane speech are protected by the First Amendment.
