The Scopes Monkey Trial was a famous legal case in 1925 that took place in Dayton, Tennessee. It centered around John T. Scopes, a high school teacher accused of violating the Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools. The trial attracted national attention and highlighted the conflict between science and religion in education. The trial featured prominent figures like Clarence Darrow, who defended Scopes, and William Jennings Bryan, who represented the prosecution. Ultimately, Scopes was found guilty and fined, but the trial sparked ongoing debates about academic freedom and the role of religion in public education.