The Supreme Court Historical Society

ARTICLES & HISTORY

“Rapid Ruth” Joins the Court

“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 . . . .”

Women at the Podium

Thanks to Marlene Trestman’s painstaking research we now have an accurate and up to date list of women advocates. Trestman has also dug up interesting facts and figures about multiple women appearing before the justices on the same day or same case.

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

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

September 17, 2021 Noon (EDT)

Join the Supreme Court Historical Society for the Inaugural Constitution Day Lecture as Professor Sam Erman explores the story of Puerto Rico and the Constitution following the U.S annexation of the islands in 1898.

McCulloch Overruled? The Odyssey of a Landmark Case

July 14, 2021

A fascinating look at McCulloch v. Maryland with Professor David Schwartz, author of The Spirit of the Constitution: John Marshall and the 200-Year Odyssey of McCulloch v. Maryland.

Bessie Margolin: The Supreme Court’s Fair Labor Lawyer

June 9, 2021

Marlene Trestman is the author of Fair Labor Lawyer: The Remarkable Life of New Deal Attorney and Supreme Court Advocate Bessie Margolin.

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.