Thursday marked the centennial of the start of the infamous "Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tennessee. This trial, involving science teacher John T. Scopes, is often considered one of the most significant legal battles of the 20th century, rivaling even the O.J. Simpson case in its impact and notoriety.

The trial centered around the Butler Act, a Tennessee law that prohibited public school teachers from denying the biblical account of creation. The law stated, "... it shall be unlawful for any teacher in any of the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of the State... to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals."

At just 24 years old, Scopes found himself at the center of this legal storm. A recent graduate of the University of Kentucky, he had come to Dayton primarily to coach football while also teaching physics and chemistry. The local biology teacher, who was also the school principal, was unwilling to challenge the law, leaving Scopes as the only viable candidate for the ACLU's test case against the Butler Act.

The ACLU had been searching for a way to challenge the law, and local lawyers in Dayton saw an opportunity to gain national attention for their town. Scopes, a progressive thinker of his time, agreed to participate, even though he did not recall teaching evolution directly. He believed that teaching scientific biology required including evolution, and he had used a biology textbook that contained Darwinian concepts, despite the Butler Act's restrictions.

The arrest of Scopes was more of a theatrical gesture than a serious detainment, setting the stage for a media frenzy that engulfed Dayton. The trial attracted national attention, with prominent figures like defense attorney Clarence Darrow representing Scopes and the state calling upon William Jennings Bryan, a three-time Democratic presidential nominee and advocate for Christian fundamentalism.

The trial was unprecedented, featuring two of the era's most famous orators on opposing sides. It became a spectacle, highlighting the cultural clash between modern science and traditional religious beliefs. The ACLU and its allies orchestrated the event, turning it into a significant moment in American history.

As the trial unfolded, it became clear that it was not just a legal battle but a cultural war, reflecting the tensions of the time. The legacy of the Scopes trial continues to resonate today, serving as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding science, education, and religion in America.