Landmark Supreme Court Cases

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Marbury v. Madison (1803)

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Article III- Judicial Review: The Supreme Court can nullify an act of the legislative or executive branch that violates the Constitution.

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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

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Elastic Clause/Supremacy Clause: Established supremacy of the US Constitution and federal laws over state laws.

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Schenck v. United States (1919)

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First Amendment Free Speech: Speech creating a “clear and present danger” is not protected.

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Brown v. Board of Education I (1954)

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14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause: Race-based segregation is illegal.

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Baker v. Carr (1961)

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14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause: Established “one man, one vote” and opened courts to reviewing redistricting challenges.

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Engle v. Vitale (1962)

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1st Amendment Establishment Clause: Schools cannot sponsor religious activities. No state-sponsored prayer.

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Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

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Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel: Guarantee of an attorney for the poor or indigent.

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Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

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First Amendment- Freedom of Speech (Symbolic Speech): Students can wear black armbands to protest the Vietnam War as it does not cause disruption.

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New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

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First Amendment- Freedom of Press: Establishes a “heavy presumption against prior restraint” even in cases involving national security.

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Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

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First Amendment- Free Exercise Clause: Cannot compel Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade.