Minersville School District v. Gobitis 1940

Could a public school expel children who refused, on religious grounds, to salute the flag?

310 U.S. 586 (1940)ReligionOverruled in 1943

The question: Could a public school expel children who refused, on religious grounds, to salute the flag?
What the Court held: Yes. National unity was a sufficient interest to require the salute.
The vote: 8–1
Later overruled by: West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943), 3 years later.
Era: The interwar years and the New Deal
Read the opinion: 310 U.S. 586 (1940), full text

This page summarizes the Court’s judgment in neutral terms. The opinion, concurrences and dissents are the authority; read them for the reasoning.