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Today in History: Supreme Court creates Miller test for obscenity

6/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On June 21, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Miller v. California, creating the three-prong Miller test that determines whether speech is obscene and therefore unprotected by the First Amendment. The decision clarified obscenity standards, limiting government bans to material meeting all three criteria.

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Story summary

On June 21, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Miller v. California, creating the three-prong Miller test that determines whether speech is obscene and therefore unprotected by the First Amendment. The decision clarified obscenity standards, limiting government bans to material meeting all three criteria.