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Victoria Woodhull
Woodhull is known as the first woman candidate for the United States presidency, which she ran for in 1872. She was arrested on obscenity charges, days before the election. She didn’t receive any electoral votes, and there is conflicting evidence about popular votes. The significance of this event shows that in that period in time women had no rights and were treated unfairly. Woodhull wasn’t given equal opportunity because she was a woman and was arrested unfairly. -
Hernandez v. Texas
In 1950, Pete Hernandez was accused of the murder of Joe Espinosa. The case, however, did not go to The Supreme Court for this reason. The case was heard by The Supreme Court because Hernandez's lawyers argued he was not given a fair trial. This is because that out of the 6,000 people appointed to juries in Texas in the last 25 years, no Mexican-American citizens had been appointed. This case is important because it forced Texas to be more fair to its statewide citizens. -
Mapp vs. Ohio
When Dollree Mapp had her home illegally searched she was arrested for having obscene photos of herself. She appealed the arrest saying that it was freedom of expression. When the court made its ruling they ignored that the appeal was on the grounds of the first amendment. Instead they made their decision based on the fourth amendment, the right to privacy. This is important because all future cases cannot use illegally obtained evidence as grounds for proving someone is guilty. -
First Women to run and complete the Boston Marathon
Katherine Virginia Switzer was the first women to complete the marathon. She attended Syracuse University and is now an American author and television commentator. The marathon had consisted of only males for 70 years. Katherine running in this marathon was significant because women were not perceived as being equal to men. In result of Katherine's bravery, 5 years later women were allowed to run in the Marathon and still are to this day, making it one of the most entertaining events in sports. -
Tinker Vs. Des Moines
When Iowa students were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, the students sued the school through their parents. The district court sided with the school. However, once appealed, the Supreme Court took the side of the students. They Said that the bands represented pure speech. Also the school could not prove that the bands interfered substantially or materially with the learning of others. -
Title IX
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in… or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” (USDOE). Title IX is really important because it provides women and girls with the guarantee that they will be accepted based on their merit and academic ability, and not whether they are male or female. Although America still struggles with this today, we are getting better. -
Goldman v. Weinberger
Goldman was a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, an Orthodox Jew, and also a rabbi. He was not allowed to wear his yarmulke while on duty and in Air Force uniform. The Supreme Court argued in a 5-4 decision that the case did not voilate the first amendment and their reasoning was that allowing overt religious apparel "would detract from the uniformity sought by dress regulations." This ruling is important becuase The Court decided that uniformity outweighs religious clothing. -
Hazelwood vs Kuhlmeier
Students who went to Hazelwood East High School had the responsibility of creating a newspaper every year for students to take home. In one particular year, students published an article on teenage parents in their schools and students who had divorced paretns. The principle tried to stop these articles from being published, and The Supreme Court determined that the principle's interference did not violate the First Amendment. -
Chanelle Pickett death
In 1995, Chanelle Pickett (a trans woman) was killed. When the murderer reportedly “found out” that she was a transgender he strangled her to death in his home. She was only 23. The significance shows that Chanelle was treated differently because she was a transgender, which most likely she wouldn’t have been killed or treated differently if she was born a female. This event shows that the LGBT community is treated differently and unfairly compared to people that aren’t in the community. -
Matthew Shepherd Beating/Death
Matthew Shepherd was a student who was beaten and tortured in Wyoming on October 6,1998. He was only 21 years old and had a great passion for human equality. Two men abducted Matthew, using the bud of a pistol. He was then left to die and 18 hours later was found dead by a bicyclist. Resulting from Matthew's death, an act was created called the Hate Crime Prevention Act. This put a federal law on all hate crime violence on the LGBT community. This made his death a tragic, but significant one.
