The History of Constitutional Law

The Constitution of the United States was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified by the states in 1788.

John Jay was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the United States in 1789.

In Marbury v. Madison (1803), the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that the Court has the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in the United States.

The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1870, granted African Americans the right to vote.

In Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

In Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a document that sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians. It was enacted in 1982.

In R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd. (1985), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies to the provinces.

In R. v. Morgentaler (1988), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right to abortion.

In R. v. Evans (1994), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right to same-sex marriage.

In Carter v. Canada (2015), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right to assisted suicide.

In Carter v. Canada (2016), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right to medical assistance in dying.

In R. v. Keegstra (1990), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right to freedom of expression.