One of the most famous trials in American history was the Scopes trial of 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee. John T. Scopes, a young science teacher, was charged with violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibited the teaching of evolution. Scopes was quickly relegated to a minor character in the trial as the two lawyers took center stage. Civil liberties groups hired famed defense lawyer Clarence Darrow (on the left) to represent Scopes. The prosecution obtained the services of former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan (right), a renowned creationist and famous orator. The highlight of the trial occurred when Darrow called Bryan to testify as an expert on the Bible. Scopes was eventually found guilty and fined $100. The conviction was later overturned on a paperwork technicality. (Scopes was not at school on the day cited in the charges.) Nevertheless, the Butler Act remained on the books in Tennessee until 1976. The trial inspired the movie Inherit The Wind.