The Scopes Trial, also known as the Monkey Trial, began in Dayton, Tennessee, when John T. Scopes, a young high school teacher, was accused of teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in violation of the Butler Act. This law prohibited the teaching of any theory that denied the Biblical account of mankind's creation. The trial ignited a national debate about science and religion, attracting significant media coverage and public interest. Numerous spectators and reporters flocked to the small town, as the trial came to represent the broader cultural conflict between traditionalist and modernist views in America.John Scopes was defended by the renowned attorney Clarence Darrow, while the prosecution was led by three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, a prominent advocate for religious fundamentalism. The trial featured dramatic exchanges, with Darrow questioning Bryan about the literal interpretation of the Bible and its compatibility with scientific thought. The proceedings became a theatrical spectacle, with crowds gathering to witness the conflict between faith and reason. Despite Scopes being found guilty and fined, the trial prompted significant public discourse about educational freedom and the teaching of science.In the aftermath, the case continued to influence American society and education, with the Butler Act remaining until it was repealed in 1967. The trial underscored the enduring conflict between religious beliefs and scientific inquiry, a theme still relevant in contemporary discussions surrounding education and curriculum standards across various states.