Texas v. Johnson (1989)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag during a political protest at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas. He was convicted under a Texas law banning flag desecration. The Supreme Court struck down the law, ruling that flag burning is protected symbolic speech under the First Amendment.

3) Why It Mattered
This was a landmark affirmation of free speech, holding that the government cannot prohibit expression simply because it is offensive or unpopular.