John T. Scopes, a high school biology teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, became embroiled in a landmark legal case when he was charged with violating the Butler Act, a Tennessee law that prohibited the teaching of human evolution in public schools. In the spring of 1925, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) offered to defend any teacher who would challenge the law, prompting Scopes to voluntarily defy it, believing that the trial would bring attention to the issue of academic freedom. The trial began in July under the scrutiny of national media, drawing prominent figures such as defense attorney Clarence Darrow and prosecutor William Jennings Bryan into a public debate over science and religion. Scopes was tried and subsequently convicted, receiving a modest fine of $100. The proceedings garnered significant media coverage, turning the trial into a public spectacle and a cultural battleground between fundamentalist beliefs and modern scientific theory.

The Scopes Trial, often referred to as the "Monkey Trial," became a touchstone in the American educational landscape, showcasing the intensifying conflict between traditional religious values and a rapidly evolving scientific understanding. The trial was as much about the future of education as it was about the legitimacy of evolutionary biology itself. The courtroom drama included passionate arguments from both sides, with Darrow questioning Bryan's literal interpretation of the Bible and the implications of such beliefs on the nature of education. Although Scopes was found guilty, the trial raised critical questions regarding the separation of church and state, the role of science in education, and the rights of educators in a democratic society.

The trial's legacy extends far beyond the courtroom, influencing public perceptions of evolution and education for generations. While the conviction was later overturned on a technicality, the Butler Act remained in effect until it was eventually repealed in the 1960s. The Scopes Trial is widely regarded as a formative event in American history, prompting ongoing debates about the teaching of evolution and the intersection of science and religion in public life. It highlighted the importance of critical thinking in education and set the stage for future legal battles over curriculum content and educational standards.