Scopes Trial

Charles Darwin's Origin of Species is Published

Nov 24, 1859

Darwin argues in his introduction that, "the view which most naturalists entertain, and which I formerly entertained — namely, that each species has been independently created — is erroneous."

Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man is published

Feb 24, 1871

In this work, Darwin directly addresses the debate over the origin of mankind, arguing that "man is descended from a hairy, tailed quadruped, probably arboreal in its habits, and an inhabitant of the Old World."

A Civic Biology is Published

Jan 1, 1914

This is later used as textbooks in Dayton, Tennesee.

William Jennings Bryan becomes a leader in the anti-evolution movement.

Jun 21, 1921

He delivered speeches titled, "The Menace of Darwinism" and "The Bible and its Enemies".

Rep. Butler Calls for a ban of Teaching Evolution in Schools

Jan 21, 1925

The Butler Act is passed with a 71 to 5 vote by the House.

Jan 27, 1925

Tennesee Senate Approves the Butler act with a 24 to 6 vote.

Mar 13, 1925

The Butler Act is put into Law.

Mar 21, 1925

ACLU Seeks Tennesee Teachers to Challenge the Butler Act

May 4, 1925

Town Leaders in Dayton, TN Convince John Scopes to be put on Trial

May 5, 1925

The town leaders come up with a plan to bring attention to Dayton, and convince football coach John Scopes to stand trial even though he has only substituted for biology a few times.

Scopes is Indicted by Jury for Breaking the Butler Act

May 25, 1925

The Trial Begins with Jury Selection

Jul 10, 1925

Scopes Trial Case

Period: Jul 10, 1925 to Jul 21, 1925

Darrow Tries to Convince Jury that the Butler Act is Unconstitutional

Jul 13, 1925

Darrow Objects to Opening the Trial with a Prayer.

Jul 14, 1925

Scopes is Declared Guilty

Jul 21, 1925

Scopes is declared guilty and had to pay a fine of $100.

Bryan Dies in his Sleep in Dayton

Jul 26, 1925

The Appeal in the Scopes Trial Begins.

May 31, 1926

A New Civic Biology is Published

Dec 31, 1927

A New Civic Biology is an updated version of the biology book used in the Dayton high school where Scopes taught.

Clarence Darrow Dies at age 80.

Mar 13, 1938

Inherit the Wind is Performed of Broadway.

Jan 10, 1955

Inherit the Wind Movie is Filmed and Scopes is Handed the key to Dayton, TN.

Jan 10, 1960

Scopes Publishes Center of the Storm

Jan 21, 1967

Center of the Storm is his memoir of the trial.

The Butler Act is Repealed

May 16, 1967

John Scopes dies at the age of 70

Oct 21, 1970

School Boards are Still Debating over how to Teach Evolution in Schools.

Jan 1, 2005