The Supreme Court Sides with Kids:
Mary Beth’s Fight for Free Speech
Mary Beth Tinker and her brother John Tinker
On December 16, 1965, 13-year-old Mary Beth Tinker wore a simple black armband to school in support of a truce in the Vietnam War. Her small action set a series of events in motion, culminating in a landmark Supreme Court case protecting students’ right to free speech in schools.
In this episode, you’ll learn about a real kid whose choice to wear an armband to school changed history. Along the way, you’ll hear Mary Beth’s story in her own words, using real audio clips from her firsthand account!
📢 A NOTE TO FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS: Today’s episode briefly references violence during the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, including the death of civil rights activists in Mississippi and the bombing of a church in Alabama. The story is told gently and from Mary Beth Tinker's perspective as a child, but you may want to listen first or be ready to talk with younger listeners afterward.
You can also listen on your favorite listening app:
Hi! I’m Lorraine, creator and co-host of History’s Kids. I first heard about Mary Beth’s story when I was a college student. I was reminded of her story when I read the book Kids on the March by Michael G. Long.
Before interviewing Mary Beth, I looked at many primary source documents available on her website. A primary source is an original record of an event. Some examples of primary sources include the newspaper article and suspension notice we read aloud in today’s episode.
Mary Beth herself is also a primary source! Her firsthand account tells us about the events of her Supreme Court case as they happened. You are a primary source for the events in your own life. You can also keep primary source documents (like newspaper articles) about the things that are happening around you. Someday you might want to share what it was like to grow up in the 2020s!
How We Researched Today’s Episode
Learn More About the Case of Tinker vs. Des Moines ⚖️
Website: Tinker Tour USA (Mary Beth’s website)
Website: Tinker Tour Primary Sources (Compiled by Mary Beth)
There are always more resources available at your school or local library!
Des Moines Register article:
“D.M. Schools Ban Wearing of Viet Truce Armbands”
(Courtesy of Mary Beth Tinker)
Mary Beth’s original suspension notice
from Warren Harding Jr. High School
(Courtesy of Mary Beth Tinker)
If You Liked This Episode… Check Out These Books! 📚
We hope every episode of History’s Kids will be a jumping-off point for learning. Find these books in your school or local library for more on Mary Beth’s case, as well as other events of the 1960s Mary Beth talked about in the episode.
Classroom Resources 🎒
The handouts below can be paired with this or any episode to engage students as they reflect on what they’ve learned, share their learning with others, and even research the stories of other “History’s Kids” who are now adults in their lives.
Hear/Think/Wonder
Listen & Jot
Make Your Own
Timeline
Interview a
“History’s Kid” In Your Life
-
Click here for a full transcript of this episode. Kids can read along as they listen!
-
Hosted By: Lorraine Leddy & James Brown Jr.
Additional Voices: Barrett Leddy & Alison Fraser
Music: Pure Color / Frank Jonsson / Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Audio Editing & Sound Design: Ben Kammer
Cover Art: Tom Deja / Bossman Graphics
Directed By: Barrett Leddy
Special Thanks: Mary Beth Tinker
-
Season one of History’s Kids is made possible through the generous support of our listeners. This episode is brought to you by Joshua Matfess, Joyce Albert, Cathy Bevans, and Rich Morris. You can join in the fun by supporting the show on Patreon today!