What is the most famous trial in US history?

Asked by: Adolfo Sauer  |  Last update: February 8, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (18 votes)

The most famous U.S. trial is arguably the O.J. Simpson Murder Trial (1995) due to its massive media coverage, captivating millions and becoming a cultural phenomenon, but others like the Scopes "Monkey" Trial (1925) for its clash of science and religion, and the historical Salem Witch Trials (1690s) for their chilling impact on American folklore, are also highly significant and well-known.

What is the most famous trial in history?

While subjective, the Nuremberg Trials (1945-1949) are arguably the most famous and historically significant trials, establishing precedents for international law by prosecuting Nazi leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity, alongside highly publicized events like the O.J. Simpson Trial (1995) for celebrity impact, and ancient cases like the Trial of Socrates or Salem Witch Trials for cultural resonance.
 

What is the most famous court case in US history?

Landmark United States Supreme Court Cases

  • Marbury v. Madison (1803) ...
  • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ...
  • Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) ...
  • Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) ...
  • Schenck v. United States (1919) ...
  • Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ...
  • Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) ...
  • Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

What is the most famous crime case in history?

While by no means a comprehensive list, here are some of the most famous:

  • Bonnie & Clyde. ...
  • Rosenberg Espionage Case. ...
  • Assassination of JFK. ...
  • Murder of Medgar Evers. ...
  • D.B. ...
  • Patty Hearst Kidnapping. ...
  • The Unabomber. ...
  • Oklahoma City Bombings. On the morning of April 19, 1995, a truck exploded outside the Alfred P.

What is the most watched trial?

O.J.

Simpson murder trial gripped the nation in 1995, with 150 million people tuning in to watch the drama unfold on TV.

10 Famous Trials Of The 20th Century That Still Divide America

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What is the most famous celebrity trial?

The O.J. Simpson murder trial (1995) is widely considered the most famous celebrity trial, dubbed the "trial of the century," due to its massive media coverage, the televised Bronco chase, its "Dream Team" defense, shocking evidence like the glove, and its profound cultural impact, ultimately resulting in an acquittal for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
 

What is the most watched thing of all time?

The following is the list of most watched television broadcasts in the United States by average viewership, according to Nielsen. Of the 30 most-watched telecasts, 27 are Super Bowls. The Apollo 11 moon landing is considered the most watched broadcast of all time, with an estimated viewership of 125–150 million.

What state is #1 in crime?

Alaska often ranks #1 for violent crime rates per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, while Louisiana frequently tops lists for overall danger or homicide rates, though figures vary slightly by source and specific metrics (violent vs. property crime) for 2024/2025 data. 

What is the biggest killer of humans in history?

The deadliest killer of humans in history is often cited as Malaria, with estimates suggesting it has killed billions over millennia, while diseases like Tuberculosis and pandemics such as the Black Death and 1918 Spanish Flu also rank as catastrophic, claiming hundreds of millions of lives each through acute outbreaks, with the Black Death wiping out a massive chunk of Europe's population. 

Who has the most kills in one day?

In a drunken rampage lasting eight hours on 26-27 April 1982, policeman Wou Bom-kon, 27, killed 57 people and wounded 35 with 176 rounds of rifle ammunition and hand grenades in the Kyong Sang-namdo province of South Korea. He ultimately blew himself up with a grenade.

What was the worst court case in history?

The Supreme Court's WORST Ever Case: Dred Scott v Sandford - American History Hit | Acast.

What is the longest case in U.S. history?

Introduction. Myra Clark Gaines' 19th century fight over an enormous inheritance is still the longest-running civil lawsuit in American history, taking over 60 years to finally find some kind of resolution. The United States Supreme Court called her case "the most remarkable in the records."

What is the most powerful court in the USA?

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the American judicial system, and has the power to decide appeals on all cases brought in federal court or those brought in state court but dealing with federal law.

What is a famous court case in American history?

In 1954, the Supreme Court declared in Brown v. Board of Education that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The decision itself was transformative, and equally as remarkable is the fact that it was unanimous.

What happens to 90% of court cases?

According to the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, "The overwhelming majority (90 to 95 percent) of cases result in plea bargaining."

What trial right is the most important and why?

One of the most important is the right to a speedy trial, which is part of the Sixth Amendment of the Bill of Rights. This protection exists to prevent defendants from being forced to wait indefinitely for their case to be resolved, sitting in jail for months or years without a fair chance to defend themselves.

What war had 0 deaths?

A "war with no casualties" typically refers to "bloodless wars" or "paper wars," like the famous Three Hundred and Thirty-Five Years' War (Netherlands vs. Isles of Scilly), which lasted centuries without a shot fired, or conflicts like the Kettle War and Anglo-Swedish War where formal declarations occurred, but actual fighting or deaths didn't happen, often ending with treaties and trade continuing. These conflicts are characterized by political disputes, threats, or minor incidents that never escalated into actual combat or fatal engagements, highlighting disputes resolved through diplomacy or sheer neglect.
 

What is the #1 killer in America?

The number one killer in America is heart disease, consistently ranking as the leading cause of death for men, women, and most racial/ethnic groups, followed by cancer, with unintentional injuries (accidents) as a significant third cause. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke, claim more lives than all forms of cancer and accidents combined.
 

Which disease has no cure?

There isn't one single disease without a cure; many chronic, genetic, and neurodegenerative conditions currently lack a cure, including Alzheimer's, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Crohn's Disease, HIV, and various cancers, though treatments can often manage symptoms and improve quality of life. 

Which US state is safest?

Safest States in the US

  1. Vermont. Vermont was the safest state in the US in 2022, with a total score of 69.49. ...
  2. Maine. With a score of 66.24, Maine was 2022's second-safest U.S. state. ...
  3. New Hampshire. ...
  4. Minnesota. ...
  5. Utah. ...
  6. Connecticut. ...
  7. Massachusetts. ...
  8. Rhode Island.

What state has little to no crime?

While rankings vary slightly by source and metrics (violent vs. property crime), New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont consistently appear as states with the lowest overall crime rates in recent analyses (2025-2026), often leading due to very low violent crime and property offenses, including burglary and assault. 

What is the #1 crime city in the US?

Based on recent 2024 data from the FBI and other sources, Memphis, Tennessee, consistently ranks as having the highest violent crime rate per capita among large U.S. cities, followed by cities like Detroit, St. Louis, and Baltimore, though rankings can vary slightly by source and specific crime metrics (violent vs. property). These rankings are typically calculated per 100,000 residents, with Memphis reporting around 2,500 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
 

What is the #1 TV show of all time?

There's no single "number 1" TV show of all time, as it depends on the metric (ratings, cultural impact, critical acclaim), but top contenders frequently include Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, and The Wire, often praised for storytelling and influence, while shows like The Simpsons, Friends, and Seinfeld dominate in popularity or longevity, and massive global hits like Netflix's Stranger Things lead streaming charts.
 

Who is the most watched person in TV history?

American actor David Hasselhoff has the distinction of being the most-watched man on television of all time.

What is the most watched TV episode of all time?

The most-watched TV episode in U.S. history is the M\*A\*S\*H series finale, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," which drew 105.9 million viewers on February 28, 1983, making it the most-watched traditional TV event before Super Bowls and the Apollo 11 Moon landing, with Super Bowls and major news events often dominating overall broadcast records.