establishment

History of the First Amendment
Early First Amendment Timeline
1215 King John of England signs Magna Carta – the first time that sovereign powers are limited.
1641 The First Amendment has its early beginnings when, in 1641, the first broad statement of American liberties is
drafted by the Massachusetts General Court, entitled the Massachusetts Body of Liberties containing right to
petition and a due process statement.
1663 Religious freedom is granted in Rhode Island.
1689 English Bill of Rights established.
1776 On July 4th, the Declaration of Independence, in its final form, is adopted by the Continental Congress.
Virginia passes their state’s Declaration of Rights – the first state in America to have a bill of rights as part of its
state constitution.
1789 U.S. Constitution is adopted, but contains no Bill of Rights.
1791 The first 10 amendments (Bill of Rights) to the U.S. Constitution are adopted.
1868 The Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment is ratified, stating “ . . . no State shall deprive any person of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law . . .”.
Supreme Court Cases That Helped Shape Our First Amendment Privileges
(See “Synopses of First Amendment Supreme Court Cases” section of this guide for cases listed below.)
Religion Cantwell v. Connecticut – 1940
Wisconsin v. Yoder – 1972
Speech Schenck v. U.S. – 1919
New York Times v. Sullivan – 1964
Tinker v. Des Moines – 1969
NSPA v. Skokie - 1978
Bethel v. Fraser – 1986
Press Patterson v. Colorado – 1907
Schenck v. U.S. – 1919
New York Times v. Sullivan – 1964
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier – 1988
Assembly Thornhill v. Alabama – 1940
Cox v. Louisiana – 1965
Petition Thornhill v. Alabama – 1940
Edwards v. South Carolina – 1963
History Websites:
http://www.freedomforum.org/packages/first/Curricula/EducationforFreedom/BriefHistory.htm
http://www.firstamendmentschools.org/freedoms/freedomsindex.aspx
http://www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com
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