1800-1850
This case established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to institute unconstitutional laws.
Marbury v Madison
This ruling denied African Americans citizenship and invalidated the Missouri Compromise.
Dred Scott v Sandford
This 1962 decision declared it unconstitutional for public schools to require students to recite a state composed prayer, citing a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Engel v Vitale
In this 1971 case, the Supreme Court ruled that the government could not prevent the publication of the Pentagon Papers, citing the First Amendment's protection of press freedom.
NY Times v US
The first case where the Supreme Court declared a state law unconstitutional, involving a corrupt land sale in Georgia.
Fletcher v Peck
This ruling upheld segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.
Plessy v Ferguson
This 1963 ruling guaranteed the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants in state courts, even if they can't afford an attorney.
Gideon v Wainwright
In this 1973 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a woman’s right to an abortion was protected by the right to privacy implied in the 14th Amendment
Roe v Wade
This case upheld the constitutionality of the national bank and ruled that states could not tax federal institutions.
McCulloch v Maryland
This case created the “clear and present danger” test, limiting free speech during wartime.
Schenck v US
This 1964 Supreme Court case protected freedom of the press by establishing the "actual malice" standard, making it harder for public officials to win libel suits.
NY Times v Sullivan
In this 1974 case, the Supreme Court ruled that President Richard Nixon had to turn over tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal, which showed the principle that no one, not even the president is above the law.
US v Nixon
This decision reinforced Congress’s power over interstate commerce and invalidated a state granted monopoly.
Gibbons v Ogden
This controversial ruling upheld Japanese American internment during WWII.
Korematsu v US
This 1965 Supreme Court case struck down a Connecticut law banning contraception, establishing a constitutional right to privacy in marital relations.
Griswold v Connecticut
In this 2000 case, the Supreme Court effectively ended a recount of votes in Florida, securing George W. Bush’s victory in the presidential election.
Bush v Gore
This case ruled that Georgia laws had no force within Cherokee territory.
Worcester v Georgia
This famous case ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
Brown v Board of Education
This 1966 Supreme Court case ruled that suspects must be informed of their rights to remain silent and to an attorney before police questioning.
Miranda v Arizona
The Supreme Court ruled that students do not lose their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech when they enter school which established that wearing armbands in protest is a form of symbolic speech.
Tinker v Des Moines (1966)
[you need to google this one]