The trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee, and was widely publicized, attracting national attention. Scopes, a biology teacher, was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools. The trial featured prominent lawyers and scientists, including Clarence Darrow for the defense and William Jennings Bryan for the prosecution.
The trial became a battleground for the broader conflict between those who believed in the literal interpretation of the Bible and those who believed in the scientific evidence for evolution. The trial ended with Scopes being found guilty and fined, but the verdict was later overturned on a technicality.
The Scopes Trial remains a significant event in American history, as it highlights the tension between science and religion and the role of the government in regulating education.