The Supreme Court of United States was established back in the year 1789 when the Congress passed the supposed federal judiciary system. This federal system idea included the highest federal court that is the Supreme Court and the other lower courts of the United States. The Chief Justice is appointed by the President and once appointed they enjoy lifelong benefits of being the same. However, if they want to resign in between they may! It’s the highest operating federal court which presides over other courts’ decisions. Here are a few interesting and intriguing facts about the Supreme power of United States, the Supreme Court:
image: Wikimedia.org
1. No Permanent Address Till 1935!
The Supreme Court functioned at various different locations before it actually got its permanent address. Till 1935, it was housed in the Old Senate Chamber from the year 1861. The Supreme Court meetings used to be held in the United States Capitol till then. However, this scenario changed when the Supreme Court was shifted to its own building in Washington D.C.
source: constitutioncenter.org, image: Wikimedia.org
2. 6 Justices, But Not Always!
The U.S. Constitution created the Supreme Court, however, left the rest of the decisions in the hands of the Congress. According to the Judiciary Act of 1789, there are supposed to be six chief justices including one chief justice and five associate justices. But, during the years this number has varied time to time. In 1807, Congress changed the number of justices to seven. In 1837, this number was increased to nine and to 10 in 1863. In 1866, Congress again shrank this number back down to seven justices.
source: history.com
3. The Only President Who Functioned As Chief Justice As Well!
William Howard Taft is the only person to have served as U.S. president and also as the chief justice of the Supreme Court. He was the 27th President of United States. Taft successfully advocated for passage of the Judiciary Act of 1925 during his reign as the 10th chief justice of U.S. He later resigned from the court due to his poor health.
source: history.com, image: s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
4. Who Brought Frozen Yogurt Machine To The Court?
Justice Elena Kagan is the one who put efforts to bring the first frozen-yogurt machine to the cafeteria of the Supreme Court.
source: blog.oup.com, image: abcnews.go.com
5. First Come, First Served!
The Supreme Court Building has seats for only 300 members of the public. The arguments can be attended on the basis of first come, first served. If you want to seek into any cases, you must reach well in time!
source: blog.oup.com
6. No Official Qualification Bar For Justices!
Till date, many chief justices are appointed and the only similar thing about them all is they have practiced as lawyers before joining as the Chief Justice. There is no such official qualification bar for the same. The Constitution justifies criteria for age, citizenship and residency requirements for becoming president of the United States but preaches no such rules for joining the Supreme Court.
source: history.com
7. Age Is Just A Number!
Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. is the oldest person ever to sit on the court. He worked from 1902 to 1932 and retired when he was 90 years old.
source: history.com, image: s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
8. The Only Impeached Justice!
Samuel Chase was the only Supreme Court justice to be impeached. Chase was in office from 1796 to 1811.
source: constitutionfacts.com, image: patriotacademy.com
9. Not Only Marshall Appeared On U.S. Currency!
Marshall was on the $500 bill, while Salmon P. Chase was on the $10,000 bill. No of the bills is continued today.
source: constitutionfacts.com, image: mrnussbaum.com
10. “The Conference Handshake”
This custom of the “conference handshake” was started by Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller. Before they take their seats at the bench, each justice shakes hands with the others.
source: constitutionfacts.com, image: wikimedia.org
11. Service Till Life
Once appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, Justices can serve for life.
source: usnews.com
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