Annenberg Classroom - Timelines - Freedom of Speech and Association

1735

… Truth Is A Defense Against Libel Charge

1787

… Federalist Papers' Publication Starts

1791

… First Amendment Is Ratified

1798

… Alien And Sedition Acts Signed Into Law

1836

… Efforts To Stifle Debate About Slavery Unsuccessful

1859

… 'On Liberty' Is Published

1864

… Lincoln Orders Two Newspapers Shut

1873

… Circulation Of Birth Control Information Outlawed

1917

… Congress Passes Espionage Act Of 1917

1918

… Sedition Act Of 1918 Punishes Critics Of WWI

1919

… 'Clear And Present Danger' Exception Established
… 'Marketplace Of Ideas' Concept Defined

1925

… Court: First Amendment Applies To States' Laws

1926

… Mencken Arrested For 'Indecent Literature'

1927

… Criminal Syndicalism Law Constitutional

1931

… Prior Restraint Ruled Unconstitutional
… Court: Symbolic Expression Of Ideas Also Protected

1937

… Court: First Amendment Protects 'Peaceable Assembly'

1940

… Ban On Religious Solicitation Struck Down
… Flag Salute Requirement Is Upheld

1942

… 'Fighting Words' Exception Established

1943

… Court: Required Flag Salute Violates First Amendment

1949

… Scope Of 'Fighting Words' Doctrine Limited

1951

… Smith Act Is Found Constitutional

1952

… Justices Uphold Group Libel Law

1957

… Obscenity Exception To First Amendment Established

1958

… Court Protects 'Free Association' In NAACP Case

1959

… No Protection From Congressional Inquiry

1961

… Symbolic Speech Of Civil Rights Protesters Protected

1964

… Court Establishes 'Actual Malice' Standard

1966

… Loyalty Oath Is Struck Down

1968

… Limits Placed On Symbolic Speech Right
… Teacher's Free Speech Right Upheld

1969

… Advocacy Of Violence Is Protected Speech Except In Rare Circumstances
… Private Ownership Of Obscene Material Protected
… Students' Right To Symbolic Speech Upheld

1971

… Antiwar Expression Is Ruled Protected Speech
… Newspapers Win Pentagon Papers Case

1972

… Court: No Reporter's Privilege Before Grand Juries

1973

… Definition Of Obscenity Is Clarified
… Court: States Can Regulate Obscene Exhibits

1976

… Court Ties Campaign Expenditures To Political Speech
… Justices Protect Commercial Speech

1977

… Court Allows Publication Of Juvenile's Identity

1978

… Nazis Permitted To March In Skokie, Ill.
… FCC Can Regulate Indecent Speech

1980

… Court Establishes Commercial Speech Test

1982

… School Board Cannot Ban Library Books
… Justices Rule Child Porn Not Protected

1983

… Public Employees' Free Speech Right Defined

1985

… Anti-Pornography Law Is Struck Down

1986

… Court: Student's Lewd Speech Not Protected

1988

… Court Allows Censorship Of School Publications

1989

… Court: Flag Burning Is Protected Symbolic Speech

1990

… Flag Protection Act Ruled Unconstitutional

1991

… Media Coverage Limited In Gulf War
… Son Of Sam Law Is Struck Down

1992

… Court Strikes Down Hate Crime Law

1993

… Justices Allow Tougher Hate Crime Penalties

1994

… Justices Uphold Buffer Zones At Abortion Clinics

1995

… Denial Of Funds To Christian Paper Ruled Unconstitutional

1996

… Communications Decency Act Passed
… Child Pornography Prevention Act Passed

1997

… Court Ruling Backs Free Speech On Internet
… 'Floating' Buffer Zones At Clinics Struck Down

1998

… Decency Test On Arts Grants Is Upheld
… Court: Public TV Can Exclude Candidates

1999

… Giuliani Targets Publicly Funded Art

2000

… Children’s Internet Protection Act Passed
… Boy Scouts Can Bar Gays As Leaders
… Court Revisits 'Floating' Buffer Zones At Clinics

2002

… Ban On 'Virtual' Child Porn Struck Down
… Homeland Security Act Signed

2003

… Law On Library Internet Filters Upheld
… Court Rules On Cross-Burning Law
… Justices Uphold Campaign Finance Law
… Law To Protect Children Passed

2004

… Patriot Act Provision Ruled Unconstitutional
… Child Online Protection Act Struck Down

2006

… Equal Access For Military Recruiters Is Upheld
… Court Rejects Vermont Campaign Finance Law

2007

… Justices Restrict Students' Free Speech Right
… Court Strikes Down Ad Limits In Campaign Law

2009

… City's Refusal Of Religious Monument Upheld

2010

… Court Lifts Limits On Corporate Election Spending

2015

… Town Ordinance On Signs Struck Down
… Intent Cited In Online Threats Case
… Court Says Texas May Reject License Plate Design
… States May Limit Judicial Candidates' Fund-Raising Requests