Supreme Court Historical Society

04/07/2026

Illustration of an April 1867 argument before the Supreme Court, with Attorney General Henry Stanbery (standing with book) representing the United States and William L. Sharkey (arm extended) representing Mississippi.

Sharkey asked the Court to issue an injunction preventing President Andrew Johnson from enforcing the Reconstruction Acts passed by Congress. Presiding over the case was Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. The Court ruled unanimously that it could not constitutionally issue an injunction directed against the president in this instance.

04/03/2026

On this day in 1995, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman to preside over a session of the Supreme Court. Appointed in 1981, O’Connor by then was third in seniority after Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and Senior Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, both of whom were absent that day.

03/24/2026

28 Boston-area students. One landmark case.

Fall semester 2025, Hometowns Boston Scholars dove into Smith v. Goguen (1974), learning from federal and state judges, law professors, courthouse staff, and dedicated legal mentors.

Despite a federal shutdown, moot court went on in the Massachusetts SJC chambers, and students capped the semester by creating a six-panel exhibit for the Moakley Courthouse.

03/19/2026

Highlights from the Society’s archives:

A 1910 cigar box featuring a chromolithograph of the Fuller Court; Justice John Marshall Harlan’s gold pocket watch (1890); and a 1963 bronze bust of Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes.

Through artwork, personal effects, and memorabilia, the Supreme Court Historical Society preserves objects that document the history of the Court and the federal judiciary.

03/17/2026

03/17/2026

Is there a shared philosophy among Irish American Supreme Court justices?

Sean Meehan, author of The Emerald Bench, reflects on the traditions and outlook that have shaped many Irish Americans who served on the Supreme Court.

Watch the full conversation with Sean Meehan and David O’Rourke on YouTube at the link in our bio.

03/12/2026

Before the Supreme Court had its own building, it met inside the U.S. Capitol for more than a century.

This pencil drawing by F.R. Petrie (c. 1970–1980) depicts a fictional oral argument in the Old Supreme Court Chamber, located on the ground floor of the Capitol.

From 1801 to 1935, the Court sat in several locations within the Capitol:

• 1801–1810: various rooms in the Capitol
• 1810–1860: the ground-floor chamber now known as the Old Supreme Court Chamber
• 1860–1935: the Old Senate Chamber

In 1935, the Court moved across the street into its permanent building.

03/09/2026

We’re proud to share that our Director of Civics Education, Nicole Maffei, has been named the 2026 MDCSS Outstanding Professional at a Social Studies Related Organization.

From leading impactful Civic initiatives like our Supreme Court & My Hometown program, Nicole’s work strengthens civic understanding across Maryland and the country.

This is incredibly well deserved. Congratulations, Nicole!

03/06/2026

On this day in 1857, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, ruling that Black Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be considered U.S. citizens and had no constitutional rights. Widely regarded as one of the Court’s most pernicious and consequential decisions, the ruling intensified national divisions over slavery and pushed the nation toward Civil War.

02/03/2026

Many thanks to Robert Post of Yale Law School and Daniel Holt of the Historical Office of the U.S. Senate, for a terrific discussion on the Judiciary Act of 1925.

Watch the full video on YouTube at the link in our bio.

05/20/2025

The Society mourns the loss of David Souter, who served as an Associate Justice from 1990 to 2009. He died peacefully at his home in New Hampshire on May 8, 2025, at the age of 85. Justice Souter continued to hear cases on the First Circuit Court of Appeals for more than a decade after retiring from the Supreme Court. He also participated in civics education curriculum reform efforts in New Hampshire during his retirement. Justice Souter loved history and was a great supporter of the Society; he will be greatly missed.

Read our full Tribute at the Link in Bio

05/13/2025