Supreme Court Trivia eBook

The United States Supreme Court stands as one of the most powerful and enduring institutions in American government. Established in 1789 under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, the Court was envisioned by the Founders as the pinnacle of an independent judiciary — a check on the powers of Congress and the President.

The Court held its first session in 1790 with six justices, though it lacked a permanent home and little public influence at first. That changed dramatically with Chief Justice John Marshall (1801–1835), whose leadership transformed the Court into a co-equal branch of government. His landmark ruling in Marbury v. Madison (1803) established judicial review, empowering the Court to strike down laws that violate the Constitution — a principle that remains central to its authority.

Over the centuries, the Court has played a defining role in shaping American life. It upheld the constitutionality of segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), only to reverse that doctrine in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), launching a new era of civil rights. It has ruled on the scope of presidential power, free speech, abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and countless other defining issues.