First Amendment

Rhode Island

Jul 15, 1663

The new charter of Rhode island grants religious freedom.

Continental Congress

Jul 4, 1776

The continental congress adopts the final draft of the Deceleration of Independence.

Approving the first amendment

Dec 15, 1791

Virginia becomes the 11th state to approve the first 10 amendments.

House of Representatives

May 14, 1836

House of representatives adopts gag rules preventing discussion of antislavery proposals. Repealed in 1844.

Sedition Act

Dec 15, 1918

Congress passed the sedition act, which forbids spoken or printed criticism of the us government.

Away with sedition act

Dec 15, 1921

Congress repeals the sedition act

Scopes

Jul 10, 1925

John Thomas Scopes found guilty for teaching evolution in tennessee.

Red flag law

Oct 6, 1933

Red flag repealed so that rules would be put in place for more security on bank accounts. Identity theft.

Ratifyng the bill of rghts

Jun 11, 1939

Georgia, massachusetts and connecticut finally ratify the Bill of Rights

Smith Act

Apr 9, 1940

Alien registration act, which makes it a crime to advocate the violent overthrow the government.

Sherbert V. Verner

Dec 15, 1963

U.s supreme court rules that South Carolina officials violated the free exercise rights of the seventh-day. Adele Sherbert was denied workers comp. and unemployment because she refused to work on her sabbath day.

Equal access act

Dec 15, 1990

Equal access act is found constitutional by the us supreme court in board of education of the westside community school V. Mergens.