Landmark Supreme Court Cases in American Legal History Quiz

Brown v. Board of Education led to the desegregation of public schools by declaring 'separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.'

Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, empowering the Court to strike down laws as unconstitutional.

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

Gideon v. Wainwright ruled individuals have a right to counsel in criminal trials, regardless of ability to pay.

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

Mapp v. Ohio established the exclusionary rule, barring evidence obtained illegally from being used in court.

Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, holding that marriage is a fundamental right.

District of Columbia v. Heller ruled the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess firearms for self-defense.

Plessy v. Ferguson established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, justifying racial segregation until overruled by Brown v. Board of Education.

Grutter v. Bollinger upheld affirmative action in college admissions, allowing consideration of race as one factor among many to achieve diversity.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey affirmed the constitutional right to access abortion, establishing the 'undue burden' standard.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruled corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political campaigns, equating money with speech under the First Amendment.

Obergefell v. Hodges determined states must recognize same-sex marriages, holding that the right to marry is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.

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

Griswold v. Connecticut established the right to privacy, particularly in marital relations, setting a precedent for reproductive rights.

Schenck v. United States established the 'clear and present danger' test, limiting free speech if it presents a danger to society.

Korematsu v. United States upheld the internment of Japanese Americans, despite later being widely criticized as unconstitutional.

Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire established the 'fighting words' exception, allowing regulation of speech that incites violence.

Fisher v. University of Texas ruled affirmative action programs must be narrowly tailored to achieve diversity, considering race as one factor among many.

Gitlow v. New York established 'selective incorporation,' applying provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Lemon v. Kurtzman established the 'lemon test,' evaluating if a law violates the Establishment Clause by determining if it has a secular purpose, does not promote/inhibit religion, and avoids excessive government entanglement with religion.

Benton v. Maryland established 'double jeopardy' protection, preventing a person from being tried again for the same crime after an acquittal or conviction.

Garcetti v. Ceballos ruled government employees have First Amendment protection from employer retaliation for speech made as private citizens, but not for speech made as part of their official duties.

National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius upheld 'judicial restraint,' emphasizing deference to legislative action, particularly regarding the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.

National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius upheld the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act as constitutional under Congress's taxation power.