Scopes Trial Centennial is dedicated to exploring the history, legacy, and cultural impact of the 1925 Scopes Trial—one of the most famous courtroom battles in American history. More than just a legal dispute over the teaching of evolution, the trial became a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle between science and faith, progress and tradition, and individual rights versus societal norms.
As we approach the 100th anniversary of the trial, this site serves as both a historical resource and a space for reflection. We examine the figures at the heart of the story—William Jennings Bryan, Clarence Darrow, H.L. Mencken—and the broader forces that shaped the trial and its aftermath. We also explore how the trial’s themes have echoed through history, from its immediate cultural impact to its fictionalized retelling in Inherit the Wind.
Whether you’re a historian, educator, student, or simply curious about this pivotal moment in American history, we invite you to explore the legacy of the Scopes Trial and its relevance today.