First Amendment
Jaidyn Martinez
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Or, in simpler terms, the freedom to say anything, believe in anything, and the freedom of the press, and the right to petition or hold an assembly.
Historical Background
The first amendment was proposed on September 25, 1789 and ratified on December 1791. The colonies disliked the lack of freedom when under Britain's control. When becoming a new country, they decided to change that.
Supreme Court Case: Virginia State Board Pharmacy v. Virginia Citizens Consumer Council
The court stated that customer had a strong interest in the free flow of information, even though the state could prohibit false and misleading advertisements. (1976)
The court brought down the Virginia law.
"First Amendment." Constitutional Amendments: From Freedom of Speech to Flag Burning. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: UXL, 2008. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.