Minersville School District v. Gobitis
Quick Summary
The case of Minersville School District v. Gobitis (1940) involved two students, Jehovah's Witnesses, who refused to salute the U.S. flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance due to their religious beliefs. The Supreme Court initially ruled that public schools could expel students for refusing to participate in these patriotic rituals. This decision upheld the school district's authority to enforce such requirements, even if they conflicted with a student's religious freedom. However, the Supreme Court reversed this ruling three years later in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943), establishing that compelling students to salute the flag violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religion.12
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