Library of Congress
Loc: Madison's Treasures
Documents presented here relate to two seminal events in which Madison played a major role: the drafting and ratification of the Constitution of the United States (1787-1788) and the introduction (1789) in the First Federal Congress of...
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: The Bill of Rights
Learn about the Bill of Rights and when it was added to the Constitution.Provides a list of the ten Amendments.
Savvas Learning
Changing Views of Free Speech
An easy to follow flow chart that shows how the idea of freedom of speech has changed throughout the years. Make sure to click on each box of information to get a more in depth description.
University of California
Ucla: Freedom of Speech vs. Workplace Harassment Law
This site contains excerpts from public law review articles relating to the issues of freedom of speech and workplace harassment.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez: Everson v. Board of Education
Brief account of the Everson v. Board of Education Supreme Court case. Gives dates, facts, questions, and conclusion.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Free Exercise of Religion
Information about the Free Exercise Clause and general purpose laws which protect individuals from government interference in their religious affairs.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How to Turn Protest Into Powerful Change
We live in an age of protest. On campuses, in public squares, on streets and social media, protestors around the world are challenging the status quo. But while protest is often necessary, is it sufficient? Eric Liu outlines three...
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Virtual Victory?
Discussion of the implications of the Supreme Court ruling against the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act, including give and take on the meaning of the decision for children. Includes transcript of discussion, and link...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Equal Status of Jewish Americans
This 3-page article provides a general overview of George Washington recognizing the equal status of Jewish Americans in 1790.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Schenck v. u.s. (1919)
Provided is a summary of the Supreme Court case of Schenck v. U.S. involving espionage, free speech, and anti-war propaganda.
Other
Common Sense Americanism: Schenck v. United States
This summary provides the background for Schenck v. United States, a World War I-era Supreme Court case involving free speech. Schenck is an example of what can happen to basic constitutional rights in time of war.
Digital History
Digital History: Religion in Public Schools: Engle v. Vitale
Read the background of the Supreme Court case, Engle v Vitale, in which school prayer was banned. Find Justice Hugo Black's opinion confirming that decision.
Other
Bitlaw: Fair Use in Copyright
An article that explains the "fair Use" issues in the copyright law.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Schenck v. United States
This encyclopedia entry summarizes the landmark Supreme Court case of Schenck v. United States, which pitted the right of free speech against the 1917 Espionage Act.
CNN
Cnn: 10 Commandments Judge Removed From Office
An important situation in regard to the subject of the separation of church and state. At this CNN site, read about Judge Roy Moore and his stand on the Ten Commandments.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez: Aguilar v. Felton
Concise overview of the Aguilar v. Felton Supreme Court case. Included are facts of the case, subjects, question presented, and the conclusion.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Freedom to Worship (Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan designed to investigate the conditions and difficulties facing immigrants who have sought religious freedom in the United States throughout history. Requires viewing of select segments from "Destination America," the...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: Agostini v. Felton
The U.S. Supreme Court case that dealt with violations in the Establishment Clause in public and parochial schools is detailed with an abstract providing a concise summary and a record of the justices that sat on the court at that time....
iCivics
I Civics: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
This mini-instructional activity covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that established a school principal's right to censor student articles in the school newspaper. Students learn about the limits on student free speech in...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: New York Times v. United States (1971)
This U.S. Supreme Court case allowed the publication of the "Pentagon Papers." The OYEZ resource provides an abstract containing a concise summary, an audio file, a link to the full text of the decision and a record of how the justices...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was adopted to protect each United States citizen's rights. Learn about how the Bill of Rights was formed and the protections it guarantees to Americans.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Gannett Co. V. De Pasquale (1979)
Complete Supreme Court opinion for Gannett Co. V. DePasquale.
Other
Insight: Should There Be a Chaplain in Congress?
This site discusses the issue of whether having a chaplain in the Congress is contradictory to the First Amendment. It includes a discussion of the related Supreme Court case, Marsh vs. Chambers. (Published March 20, 2000)
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792 Introduction
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Leader of the Anti-federalist faction against strong national government, Mason fought the ratification of the U.S. Constitution for protection for individual rights; read this...