On August 30, 1961, the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Texas presented the State of with a 6-foot-high monolith inscribed with the Ten Commandments, which in 2006 became the subject of a divisive and controversial legal issue (Van Orden v. Perry) that reached the U.S. Supreme Court The case was ruled 5-4 in favour of the defendant, the State of Texas, and the monument was allowed to remain on the grounds of the State Capitol.

In 1966, Catholic priest James Groppi from Milwaukee, Wisconsin led demonstrations against judges who belonged to the Eagles, due to the Eagles policy of barring non-whites from membership. In 1979, the Eagles were sued for violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act due to accusations of not allowing blacks use of their athletic facilities.