The 'Monkey Trial', formally known as the Scopes Trial, took place in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee, and became a pivotal moment in the debate between science and religion in America. The trial was the result of the Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools. John Scopes, a young science teacher, was accused of violating this law by teaching Darwin's theories, igniting a national controversy over educational freedom and scientific inquiry.

The trial attracted significant attention due to the involvement of two prominent figures: William Jennings Bryan, a three-time presidential candidate and staunch advocate of the Bible's literal interpretation, served as the prosecutor. In contrast, the defense was represented by Clarence Darrow, a progressive lawyer known for his defense of civil liberties and rationalism. The clash between these two intellectual giants symbolized the broader cultural conflict between modernist and traditionalist values in the United States during the 1920s.

The outcome of the trial was a mixed victory, with Scopes found guilty and fined, but the case ultimately set the stage for ongoing legal and educational debates regarding the teaching of evolution versus creationism in schools. The 'Monkey Trial' not only influenced American educational policies but also underscored the tensions between science and religion that continue to resonate in contemporary society.