Search results
Facts of the case. In December 1965, a group of students in Des Moines held a meeting in the home of 16-year-old Christopher Eckhardt to plan a public showing of their support for a truce in the Vietnam war.
John Tinker, 15 years old, his sister Mary Beth Tinker, 13 years old, and Christopher Echardt, 16 years old, decided along with their parents to protest the Vietnam War by wearing black armbands to their Des Moines schools during the Christmas holiday season. Upon learning of their intentions, and fearing that
- 82KB
- 2
On December 17, Mary Beth Tinker’s 15-year-old brother, John Tinker, a student at North High School, and several other high school students did the same. The armbands caused some comments and warnings, and some students poked fun at the demonstrating students.
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969), was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court that recognized the First Amendment rights of students in U.S. public schools.
John and Mary Beth Tinker and Christopher Eckhardt of Des Moines, Iowa, wore black armbands to their public school as a symbol of protest against American involvement in the Vietnam War. School authorities asked the students to remove their armbands, and they were subsequently suspended.
- 1010 Wayne Avenue Suite 860, Silver Spring, 20910, Maryland
- (301) 589-1130
Petitioner John F. Tinker, 15 years old, and petitioner Christopher Eckhardt, 16 years old, attended high schools in Des Moines, Iowa. Petitioner Mary Beth Tinker, John's sister, was a 13-year-old student in junior high school.
The Tinker ruling, officially known as Tinker v. Independent Community School District No. 21 , 393 U.S. 503 (1969), is still cited in nearly every student First Amendment case, and almost all American civics and history textbooks refer to it.
