1215 Abuses by England’s King John cause a revolt by nobles, who compel him to recognize rights for both. This document, known as the Magna Carta, establishes a framework for future documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

1628

2016 BCE

The Petition of Right is a statement of the objectives of the 1628 English legal-reform movement that leads to civil war and the deposing of King Charles I in 1649. This important document sets out the rights and liberties of the common man as opposed to the prerogatives of the crown and expresses many of the ideals that later led to the American Revolution.

1641

2016 BCE

The Massachusetts General Court formally adopts the first broad statement of American liberties, the Massachusetts Body of Liberties. The document includes a right to petition and a statement about due process.

1663

2016 BCE

The new Charter of Rhode Island grants religious freedom.

1689

2016 BCE

John Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration is published. It provides the philosophical basis for George Mason’s proposed Article Sixteen of the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, which deals with religion. Mason’s proposal provides that “all Men should enjoy the fullest toleration in the exercise of religion.”

1708

2016 BCE

Connecticut passes the first dissenter statute and allows “full liberty of worship” to Anglicans and Baptists.

1735

2016 BCE

New York publisher John Peter Zenger is tried for libel after publishing criticism of the Royal Governor of New York. Zenger is defended by Andrew Hamilton and acquitted. His trial establishes the principle that truth is a defense to libel and that a jury may determine whether a publication is defamatory or seditious.

1771

2016 BCE

The State of Virginia jails 50 Baptist worshipers for preaching the Gospel contrary to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

1776

2016 BCE

Virginia’s House of Burgesses passes the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The Virginia Declaration is the first bill of rights to be included in a state constitution in America.

1777

2016 BCE

Thomas Jefferson completes his first draft of a Virginia state bill for religious freedom, which states: “No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever.” The bill later becomes the famous Virginia Ordinance for Religious Freedom.

1774

Dec 7, 2016

Eighteen Baptists are jailed in Massachusetts for refusing to pay taxes that support the Congregational church.

1776

Dec 8, 2016

The Continental Congress adopts the final draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.