The Civil War: 150 Years. National Park Service Sesquicentennial Commemoration.

Then: April 27, 1861

A Loss of Liberty

In response to Maryland riots, Lincoln secretly authorizes General Winfield Scott to suspend the writ of habeas corpus and arrest unruly citizens in that state.

Resources: The Illegal Order

Now: November 13, 2001

Executive Authority

A military order allows non-citizen terror suspects to be held indefinitely without charges, a court hearing, or a lawyer. The order is declared unconstitutional in 2004.

Resources: The National Constitution Center Debates Guantanamo Bay Prisoners' Rights to Habeas Corpus