Video: 'Why hasn't the Equal Rights Amendment been ratified?'

(Wednesday, June 30, 1982, 11:59:59 p.m. EDT) — The drive to ratify the proposed federal Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution, designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of gender, expired tonight, having failed to receive the required number of ratifications for its adoption, despite having its seven-year deadline extended by three years. Continue reading Time runs out for proposed Equal Rights Amendment 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 30 1982) →

Video: 'Furman v. Georgia (1972) | A Moratorium on the Death Penalty'

(Thursday, June 29, 1972) — The Supreme Court, in Furman v. Georgia, ruled 5-4 today that capital punishment, as currently administered under American state laws, violated constitutional guarantees against cruel and unusual punishment. Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court bars death penalty as currently practiced 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 29 1972) →

Video: 'Is Prayer Allowed at Public School? | Engel v. Vitale'

(Monday, June 25, 1962) — In Engel v. Vitale, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-1 today that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools, due to violation of the First Amendment. Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court bars state-organized prayer in public schools 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 25 1962) →