Government-directed prayer in public schools, even if it is denominationally neutral and non-mandatory, violates the Establishment Clause. Decided June 25, 1962 (argued April 3, 1962). Opinion of the Court: Hugo Black → go there Dissenting: Stewart. Applied: the First Amendment → go there Topic: Freedom of religion. Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools, due to violation of the First Amendment. The ruling has been the subject of intense debate. Wiki link