Timeline of the First Amendment By Clout Cobainn 1798 Editors imprisoned under Alien and Sedition Acts 1836 Efforts to stifle debate about slavery 1918 The Sedition Act punishes critics of World War I 1919 Limits to First Amendment recognized in cases of “clear and present danger” 1920 American Civil Liberties Union Is Founded 1921 Congress Repeals the Sedition Acts 1948 No religious instruction in public schools 1961 “Symbolic speech” is protected 1962 Prayer not allowed in public schools 1964 Supreme Court places limits on libel 1966 Freedom of Information Act Passes 1976 Money spent in political campaigns is considered “speech” 1989 Restrictions on religious items displayed around government buildings
