Book Banning in the United States and Beyond
Book banning is nothing new. In fact, it has been around for centuries. What is considered the first book ban in the United States took place in 1637 in what is now known as Quincy, Massachusetts. Thomas Morton published his New English Canaan which was subsequently banned by the Puritan government as it was considered a harsh and heretical critique of Puritan customs and power structures.
Further Reading
- Bannings and Burnings in HistorySome of the most controversial books in history are now regarded as classics. The Bible and works by Shakespeare are among those that have been banned over the past two thousand years. Here is a selective timeline of book bannings, burnings, and other censorship activities.
- Books that Shaped Americaa Library of Congress exhibit that highlights the importance of books in Americans' lives.
- The History (and Present) of Banning Books in AmericaOn the Ongoing Fight Against the Censorship of Ideas