Shutterstock: The Espionage Act of 1917 and Sedition Act of 1918 outlawed the use "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the United States government, flag, or armed forces during World War 1
Congress Passes the Sedition Act
Congress passes the Sedition Act, which forbids spoken or printed criticism of the U.S. government, the Constitution, or the flag.