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...
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.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The First Amendment
In this activity students will analyze documents that span the course of American history to determine their connection to the different phrases found within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
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.
Read Works
Read Works: Don't Know Much About Liberty
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
Read Works
Read Works: Battle Over the Pledge
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance should be said in schools. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Civil Liberties Recap: You Be the Judge
How well can you decide the balance of civil liberties? Review three case summaries as well as the laws and facts about each case and arguments, and then make a ruling.
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.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Schenck v. u.s. (1919)
PBS offers a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Schenck v. U.S. which dealt with when an individual's free speech rights under the First Amendment presented a "clear and present danger." This case has since been overturned.
Other
First Amendment Center
This First Amendment site, partly news and partly background, contains information related to all the aspects of the freedoms outlined in the First Amendment.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: U S. Constitution: Annotation 18: First Amendment
Information about the boundaries of seditious speech and the permissibility of governmental measures which are directly concerned with the content of expression.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Gannett Co. V. De Pasquale (1979)
Complete Supreme Court opinion for Gannett Co. V. DePasquale.
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
Bitlaw: Fair Use in Copyright
An article that explains the "fair Use" issues in the copyright law.
Other
Libraries & First Amendment: Banned Books
This overview of censorship in the United States cites Supreme Court decisions and links to a number of other resources. (Date of Article: Sept. 13, 2002)
Other
The National Law Journal: Home Page
The National Law Journal provides the latest news, legal information and e-law services for the legal professions and law students.
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.
Other
First Amendment Schools: Lesson Plans: Religious Liberty
A series of lessons examining freedom of religion. A few of the lessons are off-site and the links no longer work.
iCivics
I Civics: Clapper v. Amnesty International (2013)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that determined the government's ability to conduct electronic surveillance of its citizens. Students learn about the First Amendment right to free speech, the Fourth...
iCivics
I Civics: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
This mini-lesson 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 a school...
iCivics
I Civics: Minersville v. Gobitas (1940)
This mini-lesson plan covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that allowed schools to require students to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Students learn about the First Amendment and how the interests of...
iCivics
I Civics: West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)
This mini-lesson plan covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that it was unconstitutional for a state to force learners to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Students learn how the interests of national unity...
iCivics
I Civics: Bethel School District v. Fraser (1986)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that established a school's ability to prohibit inappropriate student language on campus. Students learn about the First Amendment right of free speech, and explore the...
iCivics
I Civics: Texas v. Johnson (1989)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that burning the American flag is a form of political speech protected by the First Amendment. Students learn about the First Amendment freedom of speech and the...