---
title: "Engel v. Vitale — Definition & Meaning | Model Diplomat"
description: "Engel v. Vitale (1962) is a Supreme Court ruling that state-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/engel-v-vitale"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Engel v.
- Vitale (1962) was a U.
- Which constitutional provision did Engel v. Vitale rest upon?
- Did the voluntary nature of the prayer save it from being unconstitutional?
- How does Engel relate to later school-prayer cases?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court in Engel v. Vitale invalidated the New York Board of Regents' recommended daily school prayer, ruling that state-sponsored prayer breached the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.

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