Landmark Legal Cases and Constitutional Issues Quiz

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press, among other rights.

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms, allowing individuals to own and carry firearms.

The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery, ensuring that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States.

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, among other protections for individuals accused of crimes.

Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to review and strike down acts of Congress that violate the Constitution.

Brown v. Board of Education ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson.

Plessy v. Ferguson established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, allowing racial segregation as long as the facilities were deemed equal.

Plessy v. Ferguson established the principle of 'separate but equal' treatment, allowing racial segregation in public facilities.

Mapp v. Ohio established the 'exclusionary rule,' preventing the use of illegally obtained evidence in criminal trials, ensuring the protection of the Fourth Amendment.

Brown v. Board of Education addressed the issue of desegregation in public schools, declaring state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional.

Miranda v. Arizona established the Miranda rights, ensuring that individuals have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney during police questioning.

Shelby County v. Holder ruled that the government cannot use outdated formulas to determine which states need federal approval for changes to their voting laws, striking down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act.

Engel v. Vitale ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional, finding it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Roe v. Wade dealt with the right to privacy and established a woman's constitutional right to choose to have an abortion.

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke upheld the legality of affirmative action programs in college admissions, while also imposing limits on the use of racial quotas.

Reynolds v. Sims established the principle of 'one person, one vote,' requiring that legislative districts be roughly equal in population to ensure fair representation.

Obergefell v. Hodges affirmed the right of same-sex couples to marry in the United States, recognizing marriage equality as a fundamental right.

Katz v. United States established the principle of a 'reasonable expectation of privacy,' extending Fourth Amendment protections to conversations in which individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruled that the government cannot restrict independent political expenditures by corporations, associations, or labor unions, based on the First Amendment.

Obergefell v. Hodges ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage, recognizing the constitutional right to marriage equality for same-sex couples.