The First Amendment to the American Constitution
declares freedom of the press to all people. Although this
right was not officially adopted until 1791, the famous
Zenger trial of 1735 laid the groundwork for insuring this
(5) precious freedom.
John Peter Zenger emigrated as a teenager from Germa-
ny. Jn 1733, he began publishing the New York Weekly
Journal. The following year, he was arrested for writing a
story about the crown-appointed governor of New York.
(10) While Zenger was imprisoned for nine months, his wife
dutifully published the newspaper every day, bravely telling
the truth about the corrupt government officials sent by the
king to govern the colonies.
Finally Zenger's long-awaited trial took place. The hos-
15) tile judge dismissed Zenger's local lawyers, making it
necessary for his wife to seek out Andrew Hamilton, a
prominent Philadelphia lawyer. Persuaded by Hamilton,
the jury bravely returned a not-guilty verdict, defying the
judge's orders for a conviction.
(20) As a result of determination and bravery on the part of
the colonists, a lasting victory for freedom of the press was
gained by a young immigrant