Today in History: Thomas Jefferson Writes Letter on Religious Freedom

On September 15, 1801, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut, in which he famously declared that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution "building a wall of separation between Church and State."

The letter was in response to a letter from the Danbury Baptists, who had expressed concern that the new federal government might interfere with their religious freedom. Jefferson's letter was a reassurance that the government would not do so, and it has since become a cornerstone of American religious freedom law.

The letter is significant for several reasons. First, it is one of the earliest and most explicit statements of the principle of separation of church and state in American history. Second, it helped to establish the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter of religious freedom cases. Third, it has been cited in numerous Supreme Court decisions upholding the right to religious freedom.

The principle of separation of church and state is one of the most important pillars of American democracy. It ensures that the government cannot favor one religion over another, and that all people are free to practice their religion (or not practice a religion) without fear of government interference.

The Thomas Jefferson letter is a reminder of the importance of this principle, and it continues to be cited by courts and lawyers today. It is a pivotal moment in American history that helped to shape the country we live in today.

What do you think of the Thomas Jefferson letter? How has it influenced American religious freedom law?