100 years ago today, July 10, 1925 (May 20, 1925 in the lunar calendar), evolution became the defendant in the "Monkey Litigation Case". In his scientific masterpiece "The Origin of Species", the young biologist teacher John Scopes Darwin used the theory of evolution to overthrow "creationism" and completed a leap forward in mankind's correct understanding of nature. However, in the 66th year after the publication of "The Origin of Species" and 43rd years after Darwin's death, during the "relative stability" period of the capitalist world, a world-renowned and ironic trial occurred in the United States, which claims to be the most developed. The defendant who explained Darwin's theory of evolution in class was dragged into court, put on trial, and finally fined $100. Isn't the occurrence of this case, the trial process and outcome thought-provoking and thought-provoking? In the early 1920s, an anti-evolution movement led by William Jennings Bryan emerged in American society. This countercurrent had such a great impact on American politics that in 1923 the Florida Legislature passed a resolution stating that "Darwinism, atheism, and agnosticism" should not be taught as truth in the state's public schools. In 1924, the North Carolina Department of Education also banned the teaching of evolution in public schools. The 1925 Tennessee decree made it even more clear that any teacher in all universities, normal schools and other public schools at all levels in the state who teaches any heresy that denies the biblical doctrine of God's creation of man. As this countercurrent spread, on May 7, 1925, Bryan and the local government of Dayton, Tennessee filed a lawsuit in court, accusing Scopes, a young local biology teacher, of teaching evolution in class, violating the state's laws. The court decided to open the trial on July 10. This case alarmed the entire United States. On the day of the trial, many prestigious professors and scientists, led by Professor Cotley Mather of Harvard University, sat in court to prepare to defend the defendant. More than 100 reporters flocked to cover and report on the spot. Fundamentalist believers in the mountains near Dayton came to cheer for Bryan. The town with a population of only 1500 people suddenly became boiling. The plaintiff's main lawyer was Bryan, a pot-bellied leader of the anti-evolution movement. He is eloquent and has been elected as a presidential candidate three times by the Democratic Party and has his son Tom Stivat, the chief prosecutor of Tennessee. The defendant's defenders were the famous criminal lawyer Clarence Darrow, the charming and charming Dutley Field Milo, and Arthur Garfield Hayes, who had a scholarly temperament and had great knowledge of law. The lineup on both sides was staggering, but the jury was dwarfed. Among the 12 jurors, 3 had never read anything except the Bible; One of them was actually illiterate. Presiding judge John Lorston invited a local priest to pray for the opening session. Then the trial began, and after a preliminary confrontation over the legal process, Dallow stood up and made an opening statement: "My dear friend Mr. Chief Prosecutor said that John Scopes himself should understand why he was here for trial, and I also know why he was here. He came here to be tried only because of the ignorance and stubbornness of others and had merged into an evil stream." Later, Dallow issued a warning: "Today it's the teacher's trial, tomorrow it may be the editor of a magazine, newspaper or book author." Soon, this will lead to confrontation between people, between religions, until it takes us back to the 'glorious' 16th century. By then, anyone who dares to bring wisdom, enlightenment and culture to mankind will be burned by diehards." However, this resounding warning could not prevent the trial from continuing. The next day, the prosecution began and the court called witnesses to appear in court. Two Scopes students timidly testified that Scopes had taught them evolution. But added that they were not poisoned. After the testimony, Bryan thought that the dispute was clear, stood up and shouted to the jury in a loud voice: "Christians believe that God created man, while evolution believes that man evolved from primitive creatures." Waving a biology textbook in one hand, he condemned the scientists who had come to Dayton to defend the defendant: "The Bible will never be kicked out of the courtroom by experts who have come all the way. They want to confuse and compare the theory of evolution that human ancestors came from the jungle with the theory that God created people at his will and arranged them on earth. "After saying this, he raised his head, his eyes twinkled, and his face showed a proud look. There was a burst of applause in the audience, shouting "Amen". At this time, Milo slapped the table and rose up and retorted: "I'm afraid Mr. Bryan is not the only defender of the Bible. There are many people in this country who have dedicated everything they have to God and religion; Mr. Bryan devotes most of his time to busy politics with great energy and enthusiasm. Milo raised his voice and continued: "There is no way to duel with truth. Truth is invincible. We don't have to worry about this. Truth doesn't need anything Mr. Bryan. Truth is lasting and eternal. It doesn't need any support from anyone." After Milo finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the court. Then there was a stormy applause, which greatly suppressed the previous applause for Bryan. Although Milo won the battle of words, the court no longer allowed scientists to defend the defendant and announced an adjournment. Due to the sultry weather, the ancient and narrow courtroom could not accommodate a large audience. After the trial was held again, the trial was moved outdoors under a large maple tree. Some of the more than 2,000 spectators sat on wooden oranges, some squatted on the grass, some simply climbed onto the roof of a car, and some peered out of the windows of four buildings to watch. After the trial began, the prosecution used the Bible to launch an attack on evolution. Dallow skillfully countered Bryan: "As we all know, Mr. Bryan is an expert on the Bible. As an authority in the academic research community of the Bible, he has become famous around the world." Dallow's flattery stunned the judge and blinded Brian. Dallow changed the topic and read a passage from Genesis: "On the first day, God created morning and night. Does Mr. Bryan believe that the sun was created on the fourth day?" Bryan's answer was: I believe it. Dallow pressed: "So, without the sun, how can there be morning and night?" Brian kept wiping the sweat off his bald head, speechless. There were bursts of giggling from the crowd, and even the devout Christians pursed their lips and laughed. Dallow scanned the surroundings and pressed forward. He asked Bryan if he believed Eve's story. Bryan's answer was of course yes. "In order to punish the snake, God has made the snake crawl on its belly since then. Do you believe it? "Of course" the answer was yes again. "So, do you know how snakes walked before this?" The audience burst into laughter. Bryan's face was livid and angry. He shouted,"Your Honor, I am willing to answer all Mr. Dallow's questions immediately. I want the whole world to know that this traitor of Christ is using the Tennessee court to carry out shameless slander against God." "I protest!" Dallow shouted: "No reasonable Christian would ever believe your foolish opinion. "The judge knocked on the police yard to quell the noise. An adjournment was then announced and the court continued the next day. At noon the next day, it was the jury's turn to decide. The jurors gathered in a corner of the lawn and discussed quietly for nine minutes. The judge announced the verdict: Defendant Scopes fined $100 and paid all trial costs. Some newspapers in the southern United States loudly cheered Bryan's "victory." Unfortunately, Bryan himself was in pain and exhausted. He died in this small town the day after the verdict was pronounced, and went to see his God. Chicago lawyer Darrow (left) and defender of fundamentalism Bryan Darwin are now accused in Tennessee and comment: Truth is truth after all!