Van Orden v. Perry
United States Supreme Court
545 U.S. 677 (2005)
Relevant factsFree
A Ten Commandments monument, gifted by a fraternal organization in 1961, stood among 17 monuments and 21 historical markers across 22 acres surrounding the Texas State Capitol, commemorating the people, ideals, and events composing Texan identity; Van Orden (plaintiff), a Texas resident, sued Texas officials (defendants) in federal court, claiming the monument violated the Establishment Clause. The district court and court of appeals rejected the challenge, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.
IssueFree
Whether the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment allows government action with religious undertones if such action predominantly conveys a historic and social meaning.