Scopes trial

1. The trial of John Scopes, a high school teacher in Tennessee, for teaching the theory of evolution in violation of state law. The trial was held in 1925, with eminent lawyers on both sides — William Jennings Bryan for the prosecution and Clarence Darrow for the defense. Although Scopes was convicted, he was given a nominal fine, and the outcome was widely seen as a victory for Darrow.

At the time, many saw the Scopes trial as a sign of deep conflict between science and religion.

Example Sentences

A century after the Scopes trial, it seems we might not have learned that much at all.

From Salon

Ironic that the city of Dayton, Tenn., was the site of the Scopes trial, something one feels the current Dayton, Wash., anti-library protesters would approve of.

From Seattle Times

One hourlong episode will focus on the 1925 Scopes trial, in which a science teacher was prosecuted for informing students about Darwin’s theory of evolution.

From New York Times

Public education has long been a battlefield in the U.S., from the Scopes trial to desegregation to climate change.

From Scientific American

McMinn County’s banning of Spiegelman’s mice comes almost a century after Tennessee tried to ban Darwin’s monkeys in the Scopes trial.

From Washington Post