The way we understand civil liberties in American law has changed a lot over the years. Important Supreme Court cases and new laws have helped shape these changes. Here are some key points:

1. Bill of Rights (1791): This was the first ten amendments to the Constitution. They were created to protect people from government actions.

2. 14th Amendment (1868): This amendment helped expand civil liberties by making sure the Bill of Rights also applies to state actions. This idea is called "selective incorporation" and has affected more than 30 court cases by the 20th century.

3. Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s): This was a time of major changes in America. Important laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed to fight against racial discrimination.

4. Important Supreme Court Cases:

   • Brown v. Board of Education (1954): This case said that racial segregation in public schools is not allowed.
   • Roe v. Wade (1973): This case recognized that women have the right to choose, which expanded personal freedoms.
   • Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): This case confirmed that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right.

5. Current Trends:

   • As of 2021, surveys show that 61% of Americans think LGBTQ+ individuals should have legal protections.
   • There are still many discussions about privacy, free speech, and national security, which continue to test the limits of civil liberties.

In summary, the government’s job of protecting individual rights has changed with society. We are still talking about how to balance safety and personal freedom.