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Continental Congress first met
The first Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to discuss issues of national concern. -
United Colonies resolution introduced
Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia issued a resolution declaring the United Colonies to be free and independent states from British rule. -
United Colonies resolution adopted
United Colonies became free and independent states absolved by British rule. -
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence is drafted. -
Articles of Confederation adoption
The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, known as the first constitution of the United States. This adoption aided in crafting of the foundation of today's U.S. Constitution. -
Articles of Confederation ratified
All 13 states ratified the Articles of Confederation, making it the first constitution of the U.S. -
Constitutional Convention meets
The first Constitutional Convention convenes, with representatives from 12 states. George Washington was selected to chair the Convention. -
U.S. Constitution was signed
39 delegates signed the U.S. Constitution which was a 4-page document. -
Bill of Rights ratified
The Bill of Rights was ratified. Early Court. -
Prohibition of the importation of slaves
Congress prohibited the importation of slaves. Marshall Court era. -
Slaves are property
The Taney Court decided on Dred Scott v. Sandford case that slaves were property and possessed no rights or privileges under the Constitution. -
Slavery is forbidden
The 13th amendment is ratified, forbidding slavery.
Reconstruction Era. -
Equal protection established
The Fourteenth Amendment is adopted, giving citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws.
This amendment comes up several times in court cases throughout our nation's history.
Reconstruction Era. -
Separate but equal
Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896) decision was rendered, holding that state racial segregation laws for public facilities were permissible as they were "separate but equal".
Pre-New Deal Era. -
New Deal Era - Interstate Commerce rulings
During Franklin D. Roosevelt's term as President, the Supreme Court struck down eight of his New Deal programs. These New Deal programs were declared unconstitutional as they limited the national government's authority in interstate commerce. -
Segregation of schools unconstitutional
Unanimous ruling in Brown v. Board of Education case that segregation of public schools was a violation of the 14th amendment, making segregation of public schools unconstitutional.
Warren Court. -
Segregation in Public Schools
In Bolling v. Sharpe (1954), minority students were prohibited from attending the good (white) public schools in Washington, DC. Because Washington, DC is not a state, the fifth amendment was not necessarily applicable. The court ruled that though Washington, DC is not a state, it is expected to be held to the same requirements of the state, as it represents the federal government. -
Busing in Charlotte
In Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that in order to desegregate public schools, busing could be used as an effort to correct racial imbalances. -
Women's Right to Choose
The U.S. Supreme Court decided on the Roe v. Wade case, affirming the legality of a woman's right to have an abortion under the 14th amendment to the Constitution.
Burger Court. -
First female Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman to be appointed as a Supreme Court Justice.
Burger Court era. -
Roe v. Wade decision upheld
Roe v. Wade decision was upheld in the ruling of Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The Court ruled that matters involving intimate, personal choices over what one does with her body is a liberty protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.
Rehnquist Court era. -
Pledge of Allegiance in Schools
Newdow v. U.S. Congress case regarding the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance in a public school. The recitation ran counter to the Establishment Clause, and was declared to be a violation of the first amendment that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". -
College admissions
In the Grutter v. Bollinger case, the court ruled that the Equal Protection Clause did not prohibit the University of Michigan's Law School's use of race in admission decisions to create a more diverse student body.