1925 Scopes Trial reenacted in Dayton

DAYTON, Tenn., July 10, 1925 — The trial of a Dayton teacher accused of violating Tennessee’s anti-evolution law got underway today in Rhea County’s crowded circuit courtroom.

Ninety-nine years ago, John Thomas Scopes was brought to trial in a case that caught the attention of the world. More than 100 reporters covered the trial, which was broadcast live over WGN Radio—a first in American legal history. William Jennings Bryan, former secretary of state and three-time Democratic presidential candidate, joined the prosecution, and Clarence Darrow, the leading defense attorney of the day, joined the defense.

The “names” were enough to attract attention, but the issues argued during the eight days of court proceedings gave this misdemeanor case traction which has held the attention of the world for nearly 100 years. Parental rights in matters of their children’s education, academic freedom of teachers, students’ rights to hear more than one side of an issue, majority and minority rights, the role of religion in public life, creation and evolution. These are all arguments made during the case of the State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes. And most of these are still being argued in one form or another today.

Scopes was convicted of violating the law, an outcome his defense team requested, in hopes that the case could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Tennessee Supreme Court short-circuited that idea, but some 40 years later the Supreme Court did hear the issues in Epperson v. Arkansas.

Books, movies, plays and songs have been written about the Scopes Trial, and visitors still come to Dayton to visit the courthouse and museum. This month the Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation presents its 34th annual dramatic retelling of the Scopes Trial, in the courtroom where the proceedings were held 99 years ago. “The Scopes Trial: Destiny in Dayton” is an adaptation of the trial transcript, highlighting the personalities and issues that made this case what has been called “The World’s Most Famous Court Trial.”

Performances are scheduled for July 12, 13, 19 and 20. July 20 will feature the closing matinee and a period dinner with the cast.

Tickets for the play and more information about the case are available at the RHPF website, rheaheritage.com.