If you were a teacher in a school in the US province of Arkansas in the mid-20th century, you could be dismissed for teaching evolution. The law existed for four decades before it was declared unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court 48 years ago. A look
When democracy fails
The 1928 Arkansas statute was the first anti-evolution law in the US voted in by the people. Many in Arkansas believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible. Despite opposition by professors, it was passed with 63 per cent of the vote
Spurred by the Soviets
In 1957, with Sputnik’s launch, Americans awoke to find a scientifically advanced Soviet Union had beaten the US into space. This spurred rapid revisions of science textbooks, says Coyne
But teachers using newer books were violating the law. One of them brought a suit against Arkansas. The Supreme Court, in 1968, held teaching and learning need not be tailored to the principles of a religious sect
The opponents of evolution changed their strategy and recast themselves as “scientific creationists”. In 1981, the Arkansas legislature passed an “equal time” bill mandating balanced treatment for “evolution science” and “creation science”. The bill was again declared unconstitutional... as its primary effect was to advance religion
Evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne (in the New Republic)