Timeline Tuesday 25 August 1857

Events on Tuesday 25 August 1857 1

• 1857 Obscene Publications Act passed in Britain First British statute criminalising obscene material The British Parliament passed the Obscene Publications Act, giving courts the power to seize and destroy obscene books and images. It was the country's first legislation specifically targeting obscenity rather than blasphemy or libel. The act remained the basis of British obscenity law for over a century.