Engel v. Vitale
United States Supreme Court
370 U.S. 421 (1962)
Relevant factsFree
A New York school board official, Vitale (defendant), directed that a state-composed, nondenominational prayer be recited aloud in class each morning; Engel (plaintiff) sued in state court arguing the practice violated the Establishment Clause, and the lower courts upheld the prayer's constitutionality.
IssueFree
Whether, under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, a state may compel an official prayer.
Related cases
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette319 U.S. 624 (1943)Sweatt v. Painter339 U.S. 629 (1950)Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District393 U.S. 503 (1969)Borden v. School District of the Township of East Brunswick523 F.3d 153 (3d Cir. 2008)Indiana ex rel. Anderson v. Brand303 U.S. 95 (1938)