May 4, 1925—THIS DAY IN SCOPES HISTORY
Several newspapers in Tennessee report that the ACLU is “looking for a Tennessee teacher who is willing to accept our services in testing [the Butler Act] in the courts. Our lawyers think a friendly test case can be arranged without costing a teacher his or her job… All we need now is a willing client.”
George Rappleyea, manager of Cumberland Coal and Iron Company (the remnants of DCIC), reads the article in the Chattanooga Daily Times and decides to discuss it with Dayton’s leaders the next day.
This information is taken from “Causes Go On Forever…: A Chronology of the Scopes Trial,” by Randy Moore and Tom Davis. Copies of the book are available from the Rhea County Historical Society, P.O. Box 31, Dayton, TN 37321. Cost is $25.
A trial to sing about?The 1925 Scopes Trial was just that, inspiring more than a dozen popular songs, several of which would have topped the “Hot 100” charts ...
Let’s all go to the Scopes Trial play!The Destiny in Dayton cast is getting ready for next week’s debut of the 2026 edition of the Scopes Trial dramatization at the Rhea Coun...
Courtroom drama, insults, humor and an argument that has... See for yourself how the parental rights/government control argument entered the public consciousness during the Scopes Trial in 1925 – ...
TN250 Bash Rhea County KickoffNokian Tyres Summer Nights concert series was a huge success this year, attracting hundreds of music lovers on Friday nights in June. We...
Scopes Trial Play: Destiny in DaytonRead More
Jul 24, 2026
7:00 PM EDT
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
Scopes Trial Play: Destiny in DaytonRead More
Jul 25, 2026
2:00 PM EDT
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
