The Bill of Rights Time line

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1791: Bill of Rights added to Constitution

1833: Supreme Court rules, In Barron v. Baltimore, that Bill of Rights applies only to U.S. government, not to states

1868: 14th Amendment makes it illegal for states to deny blacks their rights

1896: In Plessy v. Ferguson, Court says racial segregation does not violate 14th Amendment

1919: In Schenck v. U.S., Court upholds Espionage Act, saying free speech can be restricted during wartime

1925–1932: Court rules 14th Amendment requires states to protect freedom of speech, religion, and press

1943: In W.V. State Board of Education v. Barnette, Court rules students can refuse to salute flag under First Amendment

1954: In Brown v. Board of Education, Court rules 14th Amendment outlaws segregation

1961–1972: Court rules 14th Amendment requires states to protect criminal rights as listed in Amendments 4, 5, 6, and 8

1964: In Griswold v. Connecticut, Court rules that state laws banning use of birth control violate right to privacy

1972: Court rules wiretapping is a "search" as covered in 4th Amendment

1973: In Roe v. Wade, Court rules right to privacy protects woman's right to an abortion

1988: In Hazelwood School District v. Kulheimer, Court rules schools can censor student press and other activities

Adapted from Scholastic Search.

Civil Rights
Offers an overview of civil rights, as well as the civil right movement and civil rights legislation in the U.S. and other countries.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (document)
Describes the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education ruling to desegregate public schools.

The Bill of Rights: An Overview
An overview on the history and the content for the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution which have become the Bill of Rights.

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