Supreme Court Opened Its First Session in 1790

 Events
Feb 012024
 
Supreme Court

Supreme Court

Supreme Court opened its first session in 1790. In that year the capital was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Supreme Court met in what is now Independence Hall. When the capital moved to Washington, DC, no Supreme Court building existed. The Court met in various parts of the Capitol Building and even met in a private home during the War of 1812. Until 1935 the Supreme Court continued to meet in various places. The Supreme Court Building opened in 1935. Children can learn more about at: Supreme Court.

Dred Scott Case Decision Was Delivered by the Supreme Court in 1857

 Events
Mar 062024
 
Dred Scott

Dred Scott

Dred Scott case decision was delivered by the Supreme Court in 1857. Dred Scott was a slave trying to gain his freedom. Since his owner had moved to states where there was no slavery and had taken Scott with him, Scott felt he should be free. He took his case all the way to the Supreme Court. The court majority ruled against Scott in a way that caused major turmoil in the United States. Some scholars believe the decision was one cause of the Civil War. Children could look at copies of original documents at: Dred Scott.

Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Decision Was Announced in 1954

 Events
May 172024
 
Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall

Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision was announced in 1954. The Supreme Court ruled against segregation in education. “Separate but equal” was not equal. Thurgood Marshall, pictured here, was one of the lawyers representing Brown. Children can learn more at: Brown v. Board of Education.

Sandra Day O’Connor Became the First Woman Supreme Court Justice

 Events
Sep 252024
 
Sandra Day O'Connor

Sandra Day O’Connor

Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman Supreme Court Justice when she was sworn in in 1981. She retired January 31, 2006. She died December 1, 2023. Children could learn more about her at: Sandra Day O’Connor. She founded a website to help students better understand government: https://www.icivics.org/.