John Scopes (Arrested)

On this date in 1925, high school biology teacher John T. Scopes of Dayton, Tenn., was arrested for teaching evolution. About 10 weeks later, on July 21, a jury deliberated only nine minutes before returning a guilty verdict. The judge fined Scopes $100. On appeal, the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law but overturned the conviction on the grounds that the fine was excessive because it was over the $50 maximum that could be levied by judges. Only juries could exceed that limit. The state chose not to retry the case. Not until 1967 did Tennessee repeal its anti-evolution statute.