June 17, 1963: The Supreme Court finds school-sponsored Bible readings unconstitutional

Tuesday 17 June 2008

The Supreme Court ruled June 17, 1963, in the case of Abington Township School District v. Schempp, finding that public-school–sponsored Bible readings are unconstitutional. Abington Township, Penn., resident Edward Schempp brought the case against the school district after his son was required to listen to or read portions of the Bible as part of class lessons. At the time, these readings were part of a Pennsylvania state law that required 10 verses from the Bible to be read at the beginning of each school day. The Supreme Court decision overruled the law.