The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is founded.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded in 1920, emerging from the social and political turbulence of World War I, when civil liberties were under severe threat. Its roots lie in the efforts of progressive activists, including Roger Baldwin, Crystal Eastman, and Albert DeSilver, who sought to defend freedom of speech, workers’ rights, and opposition to wartime repression. The organization’s early battles included defending anti-war activists and protecting the rights of immigrants targeted by the Palmer Raids. Over the decades, the ACLU has played a pivotal role in landmark legal cases, such as the Scopes “Monkey” Trial of 1925, which addressed the teaching of evolution, and later pivotal moments like defending civil rights during the Civil Rights Movement and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. Through its unwavering commitment to upholding the Constitution and promoting equal justice, the ACLU has remained a central force in American legal and social advocacy.