United States v. Windsor (2013) was a landmark Supreme Court case that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as the union between one man and one woman for federal purposes. The case involved Edith Windsor,…
Frontiero v. Richardson (1973) was a significant U.S. Supreme Court case that challenged gender discrimination in military benefits. The case involved Sharron Frontiero, a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, who sought to have her husband recognized as a dependent…
Reed v. Reed (1971) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that was the first to declare a law unconstitutional based on gender discrimination. The case arose when Sally Reed and Cecil Reed, separated parents, were in dispute over the…
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The case consolidated several challenges to state bans on same-sex marriage, brought by couples who argued that the state restrictions violated the 14th Amendment’s…
Lawrence v. Texas (2003) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct. The case arose when John Lawrence and Tyron Garner were arrested in Texas under the state’s “Homosexual Conduct” law, which…
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) was a landmark Supreme Court case that recognized a constitutional right to privacy, particularly in matters of contraception. The case arose when Estelle Griswold, the executive director of the Planned Parenthood League of Connecticut, and Dr.…
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) was a landmark Supreme Court case that affirmed the First Amendment rights of students in public schools. The case began when three students, John and Mary Beth Tinker, and Christopher Eckhardt,…
Loving v. Virginia (1967) was a landmark Supreme Court case that struck down state laws banning interracial marriage, declaring them unconstitutional. The case involved Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who were married in Washington, D.C., but were arrested…
Miranda v. Arizona (1966) was a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court case that established the requirement for law enforcement to inform suspects of their rights before questioning. The case involved Ernesto Miranda, who was arrested and interrogated by police without being…
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the right to legal counsel for defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford to hire an attorney. The case arose when Clarence Earl Gideon, a man charged…