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ENGEL v. VITALE (1962)
In New York, a public school district required students to recite a prayer at the start of each school day.
A group of parents, led by Steven Engel, challenged the practice, arguing that it violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-1 that the school-sponsored prayer was unconstitutional.
SCHENCK v. U.S. (1919)
Charles Schenck distributed leaflets urging people to resist the military draft during World War 1, arguing that the draft violated the 13th Amendment’s prohibition of involuntary servitude.
He was convicted under the Espionage Act of 1917 for attempting to obstruct military recruitment.
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld Schenck’s conviction, ruling that speech creating a "clear and present danger"—such as encouraging draft resistance during wartime—could be restricted.
WISCONSIN v. YODER (1972)
Wisconsin law required children to attend school until age 16.
Three Amish families, including Jonas Yoder’s, refused to send their children to high school, arguing that it conflicted with their religious beliefs and way of life. The state fined them, and the families challenged the law, claiming it violated their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Yoder, stating that the law unconstitutionally infringed on their religious freedom.
FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE
NEW YORK TIMES v. U.S. (1971)
The Pentagon Papers were classified government documents detailing U.S. involvement in Vietnam. When the New York Times and Washington Post began publishing excerpts, the Nixon administration sought an injunction, arguing that publication threatened national security.
The newspapers challenged the government’s attempt at prior restraint (government censorship before publication).
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the New York Times and Washington Post, holding that the government had not met the heavy burden of proving that publication would cause an immediate, significant danger.
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
