SNIPER GANG! This Lil Kodak, the finesse kid, and you're watching Disney Channel.
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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
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, known as the Magna Carta, establishes the principle that no one, including the king or a lawmaker, is above the law, and establishes a framework for future documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. -
Early religious freedom
The new Charter of Rhode Island grants religious freedom. -
The trial of John Peter Zenger
1733, John Peter Zenger was a German immigrant who printed a publication called The NEW YORK WEEKLY JOURNAL. Zenger published about the harsh actions of the government of Great Britain. He was then thrown into jail. Andrew Hamilton later came to argue Zenger printed the charges and demanded the prosecution to prove them false. The jury then voted not guilty, and Zenger was free. This paved the way for freedom of press. -
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 American Revolution
The American Revolution was a political upheaval that took place between 1765 and 1783 during which colonists in the Thirteen American Colonies rejected the British monarchy and aristocracy, overthrew the authority of Great Britain, and founded the United States of America. The United States wouldn't have a first amendment if this event never occurred and we hadn't won. -
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. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution is 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.” -
Sedition act
Congress passes the Sedition Act, which forbids spoken or printed criticism of the U.S. government, the Constitution or the flag. -
Espionage act
Congress passes the Espionage Act, making it a crime “to willfully cause or attempt to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States,” or to “willfully obstruct the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States.” -
Fightin Words
The U.S. Supreme Court determines “fighting words” are not protected by the First Amendment. In Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, the Court defines “fighting words” as “those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of peace." -
No more Bible readings in school
The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the practices of requiring daily Bible readings in public schools in the companion cases Abington School District v. Schempp and Murray v. Curlett. -
Flag protection act
Congress passes the Flag Protection Act. The act punishes anyone who “knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any U.S. flag …”
