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Herricks School District

William Vitale is the school board president who had the suit brought against him.

Steven Engel is a parent who brought the suit, stating that prayer in schools violated the children's first amendment right.

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A New York State law required public schools to open each day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a nondenominational prayer in which the students recognized their dependence upon God.
A parent sued on behalf of his child, arguing that the law violated the First Amendment.

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What previous court cases where used as a precedent in the decision of the case? 

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What previous court cases where used as a precedent in the decision of the case? 

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Everson v. Board of Education
Westside Community Schools v. Mergers
Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe

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1962, Justice Black (Hugo Lafayette Black)

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Government directed prayer in public schools violated the First Amendment, even if the prayer is related to religion but neutral, students may remain silent or be excused from the classroom during its recitation.

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Significance of the case & who did it impact? 

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Significance of the case & who did it impact? 

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The case of Engel v. Vitale was one of the first where a variety of religious activities sponsored by the government were found to violate the 1st amendment. This was the first case which effectively prohibited the government from sponsoring or endorsing official prayer in schools.
This case specifically impacted school children.

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Many people in the 1960's were very religious/ religion had a great importance to the american people, due to the climate of the time firm believers of religion were ought to be upset by the ruling.