LAD #37: Brown v. Board of Education

Brown v. Board of Education stands as one of the most influential court cases in American history.  It challenged the principle of "separate but equal" segregation in the area of public schooling. The case represented a young black girl by the name of Linda Brown, who had to walk a long distance to her black school while a white school was much closer.  The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) defended her and Brown went to court with the case.  The principle idea raised was that black students could not learn as well when they were segregated.  The NAACP said that it fostered a feeling of inferiority that could disrupt a child's learning.  Despite claims from the Board of Education that many black students had overcome this and made a name for themselves, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Brown and overturned the "separate but equal" segregation principle in the area of public schooling.  Brown v. Board of Education took one of the first steps towards desegregation in America by desegregating public schools.

LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine effectively began the Cold War.  The Soviet Union was expanding into what was known as the Soviet Sphere, or the small countries around the Soviet Union which were under the nation's control.  In an effort to combat this, President Truman issued the Truman Doctrine, which pledged economic and military aid to Greece and Turkey so that they would not fall to Communism.
The Truman Doctrine evolved to form the basis of the United States' foreign policy during the Cold War.  Truman believed in protecting all nations who resisted the influence of Communism.  This foreign policy was known as Containment because the primary goal of America was to contain the spread of Communism and restrict the Soviet Union's power as much as possible.

LAD #35: FDR's Executive Order #9066

Executive Order #9066 came about during World War II.  At this time, Americans were skeptical of Japanese Americans living in America.  The Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, and this created a resounding fear and anger towards any Japanese man or woman.  This fear and anger helped bring about Executive Order #9066. The Order allowed for the creation of "military areas".  With these new "military areas", people could be sent there to live and others could be forbidden to enter, stay, or exit.  In other words, it was now legal to send men and women to secluded areas.  These "military areas" would eventually lead to the holding of many Japanese men and women.

LAD #34: FDR's Declaration of War

FDR's Declaration of War was incredibly effective.  Not only did he have the audience of Congress, but his speech was also broadcast throughout the United States and was the most-listened-to broadcast to date.  FDR opens with the immortal words, "a date which will live in infamy." 
He goes on to explain that not only did the Japanese intentionally deceive the United States prior to their attack, but the Pearl Harbor assault was only a part of a massive offensive across the Pacific.  FDR closes by stating his faith in America and his belief that the country will endure and overcome all odds through sheer effort and force of will.  Finally, he asks that Congress give him the Declaration of War against the Japanese.

LAD#32: Kellogg Briand Peace Pact

The Kellogg Briand Peace Pact was signed by the United States, Japan, and a better portion of Europe in the late 1920's in which each nation recognized its solemn duty to promote the general welfare of mankind. The Pact stated that the renunciation of war ought to be used as a national policy in order to bring about peace and order. With the signing and passage of this pact, any nation that wished to declare war in pursuit of its own interest would be denied the benefits as decreed by the treaty. It was the hope of those who signed the treaty that future generations would follow this example.

LAD #30 Schenck vs. US

Schenck decided to send out a message to the public that they peacefully resist the Conscription Act in place during the Great War. As a result, he was charged with the violation of the Espionage Act due to his obstruction to recruitment. Holmes declared that Schenck's words were not protected under the First Amendment because of the circumstances. The United States was at war, and therefore could not afford Schneck's actions because they caused a "clear and present danger" to the United States. The government feared people would follow Schenck's orders and disobey the government. This case essentially established that Congress had the right to limit free speech during wartime as deemed necessary.

LAD #28: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

As Lewis Hine and other muckrakers traveled across the country documenting employers violating their workers and especially children, many called for action. In 1900 2 million children were employed under dangerous conditions. The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act of 1916 was created to limit child labor. It banned the sale of products made by children under the age of 14, from mines employing under 16, and businesses working children at night or over 8 hours per day.  Unfortunately the Supreme Court overturned the act because Congress did not have the right to regulate interstate commerce.  After this act was approved of by President Wilson, it was declared unconstitutional due to the case Hammer v. Dagenhart. Change regarding child labor took a long time despite public support, and the cruel treatment of children at the factories and mines continued. The Supreme Court reversed its opinion in Hammer v. Dagenhart in 1941.