[1]The John Scopes [2] trial of 1925, called the “monkey trial” for his teaching of evolution in the classroom against Tennessee’s anti-evolution law, drew national attention, particularly with two notable attorneys on the case: William Jennings Bryan and Charles Darrow.
The “Bethlehem Globe [3]” newspaper from Pennsylvania, July 10, 1925, reported the opening of the case with the front page heading: “Evolution Trial Opened By Prayer; Judge Has A Bible”. Fast forwarding some 85 years one would wonder if a trial with such religious over-tones would have been permitted to open in such a way. For better of for worse, it was a different era. It is a headline unlikely to be seen today.
2 Comments To "How things have changed…"
#1 Comment By Steve Keller On 05/06/2010 @ 11:40 pm
Clarence. Charles invented Monopoly. But we know what you meant!
While the trial would certainly not have opened in the same way, things really haven’t changed that much considering we are still debating the issue of teaching evolution.
#2 Comment By TimHughes On 05/07/2010 @ 8:17 am
Steve – You are correct; should have been Clarence Darrow. Thanks!
Tim