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Petition of Right
The Petition of Right is a statement of the objectives of the 1628 English legal-reform movement that leads to civil war and the deposing of King Charles I in 1649. This important document sets out the rights and liberties of the common man as opposed to the prerogatives of the crown and expresses many of the ideals that later led to the American Revolution. -
The Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court formally adopts the first broad statement of American liberties, the Massachusetts Body of Liberties. The document includes a right to petition and a statement about due process. -
The new Charter of Rhode Island
The new Charter of Rhode Island grants religious freedom. -
John Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration
John Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration is published. It provides the philosophical basis for George Mason’s proposed Article Sixteen of the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, which deals with religion. Mason’s proposal provides that “all Men should enjoy the fullest toleration in the exercise of religion.” -
Connecticut passes the first dissenter
Connecticut passes the first dissenter statute and allows “full liberty of worship” to Anglicans and Baptists. -
New York publisher John Peter Zenger is tried for libel
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. -
The State of Virginia jails 50 Baptist worshipers
The State of Virginia jails 50 Baptist worshipers for preaching the Gospel contrary to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. -
Eighteen Baptists are jailed in Massachusetts
Eighteen Baptists are jailed in Massachusetts for refusing to pay taxes that support the Congregational church. -
Virginia’s House of Burgesses passes the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
Virginia’s House of Burgesses passes the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The Virginia Declaration is the first bill of rights to be included in a state constitution in America. -
The Continental Congress adopts the final draft
The Continental Congress adopts the final draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. -
Thomas Jefferson completes his first draft of a Virginia state bill
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. -
he Virginia legislature adopts the Ordinance of Religious Freedom
The Virginia legislature adopts the Ordinance of Religious Freedom, which effectively disestablished the Anglican Church as the official church and prohibited harassment based on religious differences.
