Timeline of Litigation in American Legion v. American Humanist Association (together with Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission v. American Humanist Association)

Parties: Plaintiffs/Respondents: Steven Lowe, Fred Edwords, Bishop McNeill, and American Humanist Association and Defendants/Petitioners: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and American Legion

Feb. 25, 2014 - lawsuit filed in Federal District Court for the District of Maryland.

Nov. 30, 2015 - summary judgment granted in favor of the Defendants in the case rejecting the constitutional challenge.

Oct. 27, 2017 - decision of the Federal District Court was reversed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the presence of the cross violated the Establishment Clause.

Mar. 1, 2018 - Fourth Circuit denied the Defendants' motion for en banc review.

June 25, 2018 - Cert Petitions were filed by both the Maryland Commission and the American Legion

July 25-27, 2018 - 16 Amicus Curiae Briefs in favor of Petitioners' were filed

July 27 and Aug. 2, 2018 - Respondents filed Briefs in Opposition to the Grant of Cert

Aug. 21, 2018 - Reply Briefs by Petitioners filed and case scheduled to be considered at the Conference on Sept. 24

Sept. 24, 2018 - On the Discuss List for the Conference on Sept. 24

Oct. 1, 9, 22, & 29, 2019 - Relisted for discussion 4 times in Oct.

Nov. 2, 2018 - cert granted (the 2 cases are consolidated for briefing and oral argument and one hour is allocated for the oral argument in the case)

Dec. 17, 2018 - Petitioners' Brief filed

Dec. 18-26, 2018 - 39 Amicus Briefs in favor of Petitioners filed

Dec. 21, 2018 - Oral Argument scheduled for Feb. 27th, 2019

Jan. 9, 2019 - Solicitor General asked for permission to participate in the Oral Argument in the case and Petitioners asked the Court to expand the time for Oral Argument in light of that request

Jan. 22, 2019 - Request of Solicitor General granted and Oral Argument time for Petitioners was divided with 15 minutes for the Maryland Commission, 10 minutes for the American Legion, and 10 minutes for the Solicitor General as Amicus, and 35 minutes for Respondents for a total of 1 hour 10 minutes

Jan. 23, 2019 - Respondents' Brief filed

Jan. 30, 2019 - 8 Amicus Briefs on behalf of Respondents filed

Feb. 13, 2019 - Reply Briefs of Petitioners filed

Feb. 27, 2019 - Oral Argument

June 20, 2019 - Decision (7-2 in favor of Petitioners)