Post 2: The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States

History

    The Supreme Court of the United States, otherwise known as SCOTUS, was established in 1789 under Article Three of the U.S. Constitution. It is the highest federal court in the country as well as the head of the government's judiciary branch. Due to its' power, the Supreme Court has the capability to evaluate all laws. Additionally, under the system of Checks and Balances, the Supreme Court can "check" the actions of the other two branches of government. 

   Article Three of the U.S. Constitution allowed Congress to decide how the newly established Supreme Court would be organized. Along the creation of the third article of the Constitution, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was drafted and signed into law by George Washington. The law specified that the Supreme Court would be made up of six justices who would serve until their death or retirement. 

    The Supreme Court was scheduled to first assemble on February 1, 1790 in New York City, however, it had to be postponed to the next day due to unforeseeable circumstances. It was not until August 3, 1791 that the Supreme Court made their first decision in the case West v. Barnes. 

The First Justices

    The first Supreme Court was made up of chief justice and founding father John Jay, along with John Rutledge, William Cushing, John Blair, Robert Harrison and James Wilson. The chief justice of the Supreme Court is responsible for being the head of the court and is required to sit on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Over the years, Congress changed the number of justices in the Supreme Court. In 1869, they settled with nine justices, which is the current set amount today. The current Supreme Court consists of chief justice John Roberts, Jr. and associate justices Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch and the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

Conclusion

    As U.S. citizens, it is necessary to understand the importance of the Supreme Court as well as how it works. I hope to continue expanding my knowledge on the Supreme Court as well as the justice system in the United States as a whole. I additionally hope that in the future we will see a more diverse Supreme Court, allowing for minority groups to feel represented. 

Works Cited

"Article III." Constitution Annotated: Analysis and Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, Congressional Research Service, https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-3/. Accessed 20 September 2020. 

Kurz & Allison, The Chief Justices of the United States, 4 May 1894, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/pnp/pga/01800/01863v.jpg#h=1024&w=801 Library of Congress, accessed 20 September 2020. 
                                                          

"Supreme Court." History, A&E Television Networks, 11 May 2010, https://www.history.com/topics/us-government/supreme-court-facts. Accessed 20 September 2020.