House Joint Resolution 289, sponsored by Representative Travis, commemorates the centennial of the Scopes Trial, a pivotal legal case that took place in Dayton, Tennessee, in July 1925. The trial arose from the Tennessee General Assembly's passage of the Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in schools. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) offered to represent John T. Scopes, a local teacher accused of violating this law, leading to a highly publicized trial that featured prominent figures such as Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan. The trial highlighted the tension between faith and science during a time of increasing secularism, ultimately resulting in Scopes's conviction, which was later appealed and partially overturned by the Tennessee Supreme Court.

The resolution reflects on the lasting impact of the Scopes Trial on American society, noting that it intensified the antievolution movement and influenced educational policies across the nation. Despite the Butler Act being repealed in 1967, the trial's legacy continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about the teaching of evolution and the intersection of science and religion. The resolution recognizes the significance of the Scopes Trial as a defining moment in both Tennessee's and the nation's history, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to reconcile faith with advancements in science and technology.