Which landmark decision ruled against mandatory prayer in public schools?

The decision in Engel v. Vitale is significant as it directly addressed the issue of school-sponsored prayer in public schools. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the voluntary recitation of a short, non-denominational prayer at the beginning of each school day, which was intended to promote moral values, was unconstitutional. The Court found that this practice violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.

Engel v. Vitale was a pivotal moment in the interpretation of the separation of church and state, reinforcing the idea that public school systems should remain neutral on religious matters. This case set a precedent for further rulings regarding religious activities in public institutions and has had a lasting impact on the discussion about prayer and religion in schools.