, United States (USA) (American Colonies)
1936 - United States v. One Package of Japanese Pessaries, 13 F. Supp.334 (E.D.N.Y 1936) aff’d 86 F 2d 737 (2nd Cir. 1936), won judicial approval of medicinal use of birth control.

United States v. One Package of Japanese Pessaries was a landmark case in the United States that played a crucial role in the acceptance of birth control. The case centered around the importation of contraceptives for medicinal use, specifically Japanese pessaries, which were used as a form of birth control.

In the early 20th century, there were strict laws in the United States prohibiting the distribution and use of contraceptives. However, in this case, Judge Grover Moscowitz of the Eastern District of New York ruled in favor of allowing the importation of the Japanese pessaries for medical purposes. The decision was based on the argument that the devices were being used for legitimate medical treatment and not for contraception.

The case was significant because it challenged the prevailing attitudes and legal restrictions regarding birth control at the time. It helped pave the way for the acceptance of contraception as a legitimate medical practice and laid the groundwork for future legal battles that would eventually lead to greater access to birth control for women in the United States.

The decision in United States v. One Package of Japanese Pessaries was later affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, solidifying the legal precedent that allowed for the medicinal use of birth control in the United States.

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