2. The Scopes Monkey Trial (1925)
The Scopes Monkey Trial thrust the clash between science and religion into the national spotlight. John T. Scopes, a high school teacher, was prosecuted for teaching evolution in defiance of Tennessee law. The case transformed a small-town courtroom into a battleground for cultural values, as legendary lawyers faced off in heated debate. Public fascination soared, and the trial’s outcome fueled enduring arguments about education, faith, and academic freedom. Read more
