Contemporary America
Timeline- http://www.capzles.com/d5bcd915-b18f-41ca-ac8a-7adffc0001fb
Primary Sources
Title: Payoff to the Vice President, 1971
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Title: Radio Address to the Nation on Prayer in SchoolsLink: http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/22584a.htm
Summary: In his radio address to the people of the nation, President Ronald Reagan attacked the Supreme Court's decision of banning prayers from schools. He quoted from the founders of the nation and President Theodore Roosevelt saying it was essential that the nation uphold its foundations of freedom. He argued that Nazis and members of the Ku Klux Klan had more freedom in the nation than the children of schools in terms of the first amendment. Reagan also asks the people of the United States to have a voice against religious intolerance in schools. The first amendment was meant to spread religious tolerance, not oppress and restrain those from expressing their faith. Significance: The Supreme Court's decision to deem prayers in schools unconstitutional was seen as outrageous by many of the Americans people who rallied behind their religious leader. As a Presbyterian raised by a Catholic and Presbyterian, Reagan's religious affiliation played a major role in his political life. With the Court's ruling, Reagan found the ban as an oppression of basic rights. This raised questions about what the first amendment represented. According to Reagan, freedom of religion was meant to increase religious tolerance around the nation for all. This shows the importance of basic rights, provided by the Bill of Rights, that many Americans often take for granted. There was a reason why the founding fathers included God into major documents. The Pledge of Allegiance itself states "one nation under God." Although this raises question about separation of church and state, the government must protect the nation's right of freedom of religion alongside freedom of the press, speech, etc. Encroachments on freedom of speech were seen throughout history through the Alien & Sedition Acts and for the nation's security; this encroachment on freedom of religion is just as important in our nation's history. Stefania C. |
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Title: PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH'S ADDRESS ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
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