In County of Allegheny v. ACLU 492 U.S. 573 (1989), the U.S. Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of two recurring holiday displays located on public property in downtown Pittsburgh. The first, a creche, was placed on the grand staircase of the Allegheny County Courthouse. Its manger had at its crest an angel bearing a banner proclaiming Gloria in Excelsis Deo. The second of the holiday displays in question was an 18-foot Chanukah menorah, which was placed just outside the City-County Building next to the city's 45-foot decorated Christmas tree. At the foot of the tree was a sign bearing the mayor's name and containing text: "During this holiday season, the city of Pittsburgh salutes liberty. Let these festive lights remind us that we are the keepers of the flame of liberty and our legacy of freedom." 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., (large image) The Supreme Court of the United States, located in Washington, D.C., is the highest court (see supreme court) in the United States; that is, it has ultimate judicial authority within the United States... City nickname: The Steel City Location in the state of Pennsylvania Founded 1758 Mayor Tom Murphy (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water 151. ... A traditional nativity scene from Naples, Italy A nativity scene (usually capitalized if referring to the birth of Jesus), also called a crib or crèche (meaning crib or manger in French) generally refers to any depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Latin for Glory to God in the highest) is the title and beginning of the great doxology (song of praise) used in the Roman Catholic mass and, in translation, in the services of many other Christian churches. ... Hanukkah (×—× ×›×” ḥănukkāh, or חנוכה ḥănÅ«kkāh) is a Jewish holiday, also known as the Festival of lights. ... Yarmulke and Menorah from the Harry S. Truman collection A menorah (sometimes capitalized) is a branched candelabrum with seven candle-holders. ... A Christmas tree in a German home One of the most popular traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas, the Christmas tree is normally an evergreen conifer tree that is brought in the house or used in the open, and is decorated with Christmas lights and colourful ornaments during the...

In a complex and fragmented decision, the majority held that the County of Allegheny violated the Establishment Clause by displaying a creche in the county courthouse, because the "principal or primary effect" of the display was to advance religion within the meaning of Lemon v. Kurtzman, when viewed in its overall context. The creche angel's words endorsed a patently Christian message: Glory to God for the birth of Jesus Christ. Moreover, in contrast to Lynch v. Donnelly, nothing in the creche's setting detracted from that message. It has been suggested that Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment be merged into this article or section. ... In Lemon vs. ...

A different majority held that the menorah display did not have the prohibited effect of endorsing religion, given its "particular physical setting." Its combined display with a Christmas tree and a sign saluting liberty did not impermissibly endorse both the Christian and Jewish faiths, but simply recognized that both Christmas and Chanukah are part of the same winter-holiday season, which, the court found, has attained a secular status in our society.

External links

• Decision in County of Allegheny v. ACLU at FindLaw