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
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