As an expert in the field of American history and constitutional law, I can provide a detailed account of the events surrounding the issue of prayer in public schools. The question of when prayer was "taken out" of schools is a complex one, as it involves a series of legal decisions and societal changes over time. The landmark case that is often referenced in this context is Engel v. Vitale, which was decided by the United States Supreme Court on June 25, 1962.

The Engel v. Vitale case originated in New York when the Board of Regents created a non-denominational prayer that was recommended for use in public schools. The prayer was intended to be voluntary, but its use led to a lawsuit by a group of parents who argued that it violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which includes the Establishment Clause. This clause prohibits the government from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion."

The Supreme Court's decision in Engel v. Vitale was a 6-1 ruling that the state-composed prayer was unconstitutional. The Court reasoned that, even though the prayer was non-denominational and students were not compelled to participate, its use in public schools represented an "establishment of religion" by the state, which is forbidden by the First Amendment.

It is important to note that the decision did not ban prayer from schools entirely. Rather, it prohibited state-sponsored or mandatory prayer. Students are still allowed to pray privately or in voluntary student-led groups, as long as such activities do not disrupt the educational process or infringe upon the rights of others.

Following the Engel v. Vitale decision, there have been numerous other cases and controversies related to prayer and religion in public schools. Some of these have involved issues like voluntary student-led prayer at school events, the display of religious symbols on school property, and the teaching of creationism versus evolution in science classes.

The reference to August 15, 2014, does not correspond to a significant legal event regarding prayer in schools. It is possible that this date is related to a more recent discussion or event, but without additional context, it is not possible to provide a detailed explanation of its relevance to the history of prayer in schools.

In summary, the concept of prayer being "taken out" of schools is a misunderstanding of the legal principles established by the Supreme Court. The Court's rulings have sought to balance the free exercise of religion with the prohibition against government establishment of religion, ensuring that public schools remain neutral with respect to religious matters.

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1962On June 25, 1962, the United States Supreme Court decided in Engel v. Vitale that a prayer approved by the New York Board of Regents for use in schools violated the First Amendment because it represented establishment of religion.Aug 15, 2014read more >>