zenger

1) Zenger was a journalist/printer who was one of the first people in America, and consequentially the world, to take a real stand for freedom of the press. He was arrested and tried for criticizing consistently governor Cosby of NY.
2) Even though he was initially seen as guilty by a judge, his lawyer Andrew Hamilton convinced ta jury to look at his publishing, and determine the truth themselves behind Zenger's criticism. To the public surprise the jury acquitted him.
3) American freedom of the press and speech have been some of the most important amendments to our constitution and are some of the things that bolster our patriotism. It was this event in 1735 that could have arguably brought up this importance for the public to have expressional freedoms, that made it important enough for it to be brought into the constitution.

4) This trial also stood in significant light because in its aftermath it was now seen as unjust by the public, and later unconstitutional by the government to charge people for criticizing the government after the public had seen the improvement that was possible from calling politicians out.