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Events on Monday 16 January 1786 1
1786Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom enactedVirginia disestablishes religion by lawThe Virginia General Assembly enacted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, which disestablished the Anglican church and guaranteed freedom of religious belief and worship. The statute declared that no person could be compelled to support any religious institution against their will. It later influenced the religious liberty clauses of the United States Constitution.