Description
In the 1950s, New York state officials introduced a prayer into public schools. It was optional, it was short, and it was, as the Supreme Court ruled in 1962, unconstitutional. This week, we’re headed to the suburbs to cover that case, Engel v. Vitale. We’ll meet a group of parents who were determined to teach their children — and, ultimately, the nation — that freedom of religion, and freedom from religion, are fundamental rights.
Joining us is Dan Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief.
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0:00 Intro
1:21 The Genesis of The Case
4:42 A Parent's Stand
6:45 Building the Legal Challenge
11:03 Confronting the Board
14:06 Legal Battles in Lower Courts
18:02 The Supreme Court Arguments
22:47 The ruling on Engel v. Vitale
25:22 Legacy of the Decision