Scopes ‘Monkey Trial’ ends with guilty verdict, fine 90 years ago today (July 21 1925)


Video: 'Scopes Monkey Trial FULL' (July 21, 1925, at 1:05:34)

(Tuesday, July 21, 1925) — The so-called “Monkey Trial” trial of John Thomas Scopes for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution in Dayton, Tennessee, which defense attorney Clarence Darrow characterized today as “the first case of its kind since we stopped trying people for witchcraft” (three-time Democratic presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan was the special prosecutor in the case) is over.

Scopes was found guilty and fined $100, and his counsel will appeal to the Supreme Court of Tennessee for reversal of the verdict (the conviction was eventually overturned on a technicality).


Video: 'Scopes Monkey Trial, Dayton, Tennessee'