July 14 in American History
Congress made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious" writing against the government. The backlash helped define American free speech — and the Acts expired within three years. A reminder that the First Amendment has always had to be defended.
In 1798: the Sedition Act becomes law. Congress made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious" writing against the government.
Congress made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious" writing against the government. The backlash helped define American free speech — and the Acts expired within three years. A reminder that the First Amendment has always had to be defended.
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