jun 15, 1917 - Espionage and Sedition Act

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The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 were U.S. federal laws passed during World War I that imposed severe penalties on anyone found guilty of making false statements that interfered with the prosecution of the war, insulting or abusing the U.S. government, the flag, the Constitution, or the military, and for attempting to incite rebellion in the armed forces or obstruct the draft. The acts were used to suppress dissent, restrict freedom of speech, and imprison many who opposed the war effort, including socialists and other political activists, reflecting the government's extreme measures to maintain national security during wartime.

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