The DFT Kennedy Half Dollars Collection Coin Album
In 1968, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
In 1968, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
Freedom of the Press and Religious Liberty. In 1971, the Supreme Court decided two landmark First Amendment cases. New York Times Co. v. United States rejected prior restraint and permitted publication of the Pentagon Papers, reaffirming the central role of a free press. Lemon v. Kurtzman established the "Lemon test" for evaluating laws under the Establishment Clause, shaping church-state jurisprudence for decades.
Freedom of the Press and Religious Liberty. In 1971, the Supreme Court decided two landmark First Amendment cases. New York Times Co. v. United States rejected prior restraint and permitted publication of the Pentagon Papers, reaffirming the central role of a free press. Lemon v. Kurtzman established the "Lemon test" for evaluating laws under the Establishment Clause, shaping church-state jurisprudence for decades.
Surveillance State and Civil Liberties. Former CIA employee and NSA contractor Edward Snowden discloses operations engaged in by a U.S. government mass surveillance program to news publications and flees the country.
Surveillance State and Civil Liberties. Former CIA employee and NSA contractor Edward Snowden discloses operations engaged in by a U.S. government mass surveillance program to news publications and flees the country.
Representative Democracy and Equal Citizenship. The year 2015 illustrated the Constitution's continuing evolution in defining both democratic participation and individual liberty. In Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, the Supreme Court upheld the people's authority to establish independent redistricting commissions through direct democracy, recognizing the people's authority to shape the electoral process through direct democracy. In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees same-sex couples the fundamental right to marry. And in Johnson v. United States, the Court reaffirmed that criminal laws must provide fair notice by invalidating an unconstitutionally vague sentencing provision under the Due Process Clause. Together these decisions reflected an enduring constitutional principle: government derives its legitimacy through fair democratic institutions while remaining bound to protect the equal rights and liberties of every individual.
Representative Democracy and Equal Citizenship. The year 2015 illustrated the Constitution's continuing evolution in defining both democratic participation and individual liberty. In Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, the Supreme Court upheld the people's authority to establish independent redistricting commissions through direct democracy, recognizing the people's authority to shape the electoral process through direct democracy. In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees same-sex couples the fundamental right to marry. And in Johnson v. United States, the Court reaffirmed that criminal laws must provide fair notice by invalidating an unconstitutionally vague sentencing provision under the Due Process Clause. Together these decisions reflected an enduring constitutional principle: government derives its legitimacy through fair democratic institutions while remaining bound to protect the equal rights and liberties of every individual.
Separation of Powers. In 2019, the Supreme Court reaffirmed constitutional limits on the political branches. In Department of Commerce v. New York, the Court rejected the stated rationale for adding a citizenship question to the census, while Rucho v. Common Cause held that claims of partisan gerrymandering present political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts, underscoring the distinct constitutional roles of each branch.
Enduring Resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic and a closely contested presidential election subjected the Nation's constitutional institutions to extraordinary challenges. Courts, legislatures, election officials, and executive officers continued to operate within the Constitution's framework, demonstrating that its fundamental principles endure even under exceptional national stress.
Constitutional Interpretation. The Supreme Court's 2022 decisions emphasized constitutional text, history, and tradition. Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade; New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen adopted a historical-tradition test for Second Amendment claims; and Kennedy v. Bremerton School District strengthened First Amendment protection for private religious expression.
Constitutional Interpretation. The Supreme Court's 2022 decisions emphasized constitutional text, history, and tradition. Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade; New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen adopted a historical-tradition test for Second Amendment claims; and Kennedy v. Bremerton School District strengthened First Amendment protection for private religious expression.
Constitutional Limits on Governmental Authority. The Supreme Court's 2023 decisions addressed the constitutional boundaries of governmental authority in cases involving affirmative action, free speech, voting rights, and state election powers, reflecting the continuing evolution of the Equal Protection Clause, the First Amendment, and the Elections Clause.
Constitutional Limits on Governmental Authority. The Supreme Court's 2023 decisions addressed the constitutional boundaries of governmental authority in cases involving affirmative action, free speech, voting rights, and state election powers, reflecting the continuing evolution of the Equal Protection Clause, the First Amendment, and the Elections Clause.
