Enlightenment · North America · Politics
1735
Zenger Trial in New York
August 4, 1735
A German-born printer, John Peter Zenger, was acquitted of seditious libel for printing attacks on the royal governor. His lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that truth was a defense. The jury agreed against the judge's instructions. Colonial American liberty had discovered a quiet precedent: the press could defend itself against power.
In context
Also in 1735 (3 other events on record)
- Linnaeus Publishes Systema Naturae · Europe · Science
- Death of the Yongzheng Emperor · East Asia · Politics
- French Geodesic Expeditions · Europe · Science
Before and after in North America
Before and after in Politics
Era
Enlightenment (1651–1800), one of 696 events from that era on Saeculum.