The Supreme Court Historical Society

ARTICLES & HISTORY

The Judiciary Act of 1789

September 24th is an important day in the foundation of our country’s government. It is the day on which the new federal Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 in Federal Hall in New York City.

“Times are changing,” Ruth Bader Ginsburg observed when notified of her nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States by President William Clinton. Elucidating on the comments she said “The president has made that clear by appointing me . . . .”

The History of Oral Argument

As the month of May marks a year since the Supreme Court made the switch to hearing cases argued by telephone due to the pandemic, PBS NEWSHOUR produced a segment on this temporary new format. SCHS’s Clare Cushman was interviewed about the history of oral argument.

Justice Hugo L. Black, His Chambers Staff, and the Ku Klux Klan Controversy of 1937

When the press revealed his earlier membership in the Klan, did newly-appointed Justice Hugo L. Black choose a Catholic stenographer, a Catholic/Black messenger, and a Jewish law clerk to staff his Chambers to counter charges of racism and religious intolerance?

SOCIETY EVENTS

American College of Trial Lawyers/SCHS Fall CLE Program

Acquitted: Jury Selection and the Trial of Lizzie Borden

September 30, 2021 | 2-3:30 CMT

Join Cara Robertson and Michael D. Monico for a panel discussion moderated by Clare Cushman and earn CLE credit.

To register, please email:

[email protected]

The Supreme Court, 1821: Looking Back on an Important Term

October 4, 2021 | 2:30 pm (EDT)

Join Farah Peterson and Mark Killenbeck for a fascinating conversation on the 1821 term as the Supreme Court begins its October 2021 Term.

Almost Citizens: Puerto Rico, the U.S. Constitution, and Empire

September 17, 2021

For the Inaugural Constitution Day Lecture, Professor Sam Erman explored the story of Puerto Rico and the Constitution following the U.S annexation of the islands in 1898.

Membership In The Society

Society members represent 9 countries, over 85 US Courts, 75 Colleges and Universities plus a broad array of attorneys, scholars, students, and individuals. Society Members receive invitations to all of our events which include both live and digital presentations, reenactments of landmark cases, the Journal of Supreme Court History, the Quarterly newsletter and dinners and reception hosted by the Justices. Members have access to the Society’s Headquarters in Washington D.C. which houses one of the finest and most rare collections of Justice’s writings and historic texts related to the Court. We invite you to consider a membership today.

Online Access to the Journal of Supreme Court History

Society members receive the Journal of Supreme Court History, published three times per year via mail. Members also have exclusive online access to the most current Journals through our partnership with Wiley – our publisher. Older copies of the Journal are available for public access in the Society’s Digital Library. The Quarterly, the Society’s newsletter is available in the Society’s online library as well.

Join, Renew or Donate

Joining the society takes only a few minutes. We welcome your membership!

Or, you can renew your membership in The Society here.

Contributions to the society take many forms including direct financial support, grants, in-kind gifts, and bequests. Donors may designate the purpose for which their gift must be spent. Gifts to assist the Society in meeting its general operating budget – which supports our programs are always needed. In addition, the Society works closely with the Supreme Court to acquire and maintain art, antiques, artifacts, and memorabilia documenting the history of the Court for display in the public and private areas of the building. You may donate to the Society below. You may also call the Society at 202.543.0400 for more information.