10 Most Influential Supreme Court Cases in US History
Marbury v. Madison (1803): established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.
1
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): affirms the federal government's implied powers and establishes federal supremacy over state laws.
2
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857): Ruled that African Americans could not be citizens and invalidated the Missouri Compromise, exacerbating sectional tensions.
3
1. Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.
4
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): Guaranteed the right to legal counsel for defendants in criminal cases, regardless of their ability to pay.
5
1. Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Established the requirement for police to inform suspects of their rights before interrogation, leading to the "Miranda warning."
6
1. Roe v. Wade (1973): recognized a woman's constitutional right to privacy, legalizing abortion nationwide and sparking ongoing debates about reproductive rights.
7
1. United States v. Nixon (1974): affirms that the president is not above the law, leading to Nixon's resignation during the Watergate scandal.
8
1. Texas v. Johnson (1989): Protected flag burning as a form of free speech under the First Amendment, reinforcing the principle of expressive conduct.