In 1803, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison, established a crucial principle of American constitutional law: the power of judicial review. This case continues to shape the workings of the U.S. legal system today. To understand its importance, we must first look at the events that led up to the case, the…
In 1927, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision in Buck v. Bell that has since remained one of the most controversial in American legal history. The case centered around Carrie Buck, a young woman from Virginia who was forcibly sterilized after being diagnosed with “feeblemindedness.” The Case of Carrie Buck Carrie Buck’s story…
Taxpayers, unite! Or not? That was the question in Frothingham v. Mellon, the 1923 Supreme Court decision that essentially told taxpayers that they don’t automatically get to play watchdog over federal spending—even when they’re footing the bill. The case might seem like an odd piece of legal history, but Frothingham remains a big deal in…
The Case and Background In 1919, Abrams v. United States emerged as a seminal case on free speech, exploring the extent of government authority to limit dissent during wartime. Amidst World War I, five Russian immigrants in New York, including Jacob Abrams, were arrested under the 1917 Espionage Act. The group, anti-war activists who opposed…
In a pivotal moment for economic regulation in the United States, the Supreme Court’s decision in Munn v. Illinois (1877) affirmed the authority of states to regulate private industries that serve the public interest. This case stemmed from Illinois legislation enacted in 1871, which established maximum rates that private companies could charge for storing and…
CNN has announced the permanent ban of conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky following his inflammatory comments directed at journalist Mehdi Hasan during a live broadcast of “CNN Newsnight” hosted by Abby Phillip. The incident, which occurred during a discussion about comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s contentious jokes, has drawn significant backlash and raised questions about civility in public…
In Miranda v. Arizona (1966), the U.S. Supreme Court established the now-famous “Miranda rights,” fundamentally changing how law enforcement approaches custodial interrogations. The landmark case centered on Ernesto Miranda, an Arizona resident accused of kidnapping and assault. During police questioning, Miranda confessed without being informed of his constitutional rights against self-incrimination, leading to the Supreme…
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), notorious for its violent acts against African Americans and other marginalized groups, faced its first significant legal challenge in the mid-20th century. The KKK’s history of terror and intimidation often went unpunished due to widespread societal complicity and systemic racism. However, a pivotal case emerged in 1969: Cohens v. Virginia.…
The U.S. Supreme Court has made landmark rulings that continue to define fundamental American rights and legal principles, especially in educational settings. By setting legal precedents, these cases have clarified students’ rights, defined the limits of government and school authority, and protected individual freedoms under the Constitution. Defining Free Speech in Schools In Bethel School…