Stone v. Graham
United States Supreme Court
449 U.S. 39 (1980)
- Written by Salina Kennedy, JD
Facts
A Kentucky statute required public schools to display a copy of a Ten Commandments poster in each classroom. The posters were funded through private contributions and had a note in small print at the bottom that read, “The secular application of the Ten Commandments is clearly seen in its adoption as the fundamental legal code of Western Civilization and the Common Law of the United States.” Stone (plaintiff) sought an injunction against the enforcement of the statute, arguing that the statute violated the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The trial court upheld the statute, and the Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Per curiam)
Dissent (Rehnquist, J.)
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