WHEN SILENCE SPEAKS: RUSSO V. CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

TIMELINE

1892 Francis Bellamy, a minister in upstate New York, composes the first version of the Pledge of Allegiance.
1960s Civil Rights movement, Vietnam War, student unrest.
1969 Susan C. Russo moves from East Lansing, Michigan, to Rochester, New York, and takes a job as an art teacher at James E. Sperry High School in Henrietta, New York.
September 1, 1969 Russo commences employment at Sperry High School; thereafter, in homeroom each morning, Russo would stand and face the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance, but she would remain silent as another teacher led the students in the Pledge.
Spring 1970 Controversy develops over whether students were required to participate in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The school board, parents, students, and community leaders debate the question of students participating in the Pledge, and some complain about a teacher who was not participating in the Pledge.
May 12, 1970 Principal recommends that Russo be dismissed.
June 23, 1970 The school board fires Russo.
September 1970 Russo commences suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York.
July 7-8, 1971 Case is tried before Judge Harold P. Burke.
January 31, 1972 Judge Burke rules against Russo.
October 19, 1972 Second Circuit hears appeal.
November 14, 1972 Second Circuit rules in favor of Russo, reversing the district court.
April 16, 1973 Supreme Court denies the School District’s petition for certiorari.
December 1973 Case settles, with Russo’s reinstatement and $20,000 in damages.
August 14, 2016 Quarterback Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers remains seated during the National Anthem.
September 1, 2016 Instead of sitting during the National Anthem, Kaepernick takes a knee. He is joined by a teammate. Soon, other athletes in different sports join in, and controversy develops.

Cast

Script Excerpt

Timeline

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