Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, though it did not have a permanent home for nearly 150 years. In its early days, the Court met in the Merchants' Exchange Building in New York City and later in Philadelphia's Independence Hall. When the federal government moved to Washington, D.C., in 1800, the justices were squeezed into various rooms within the U.S. Capitol, including the Old Senate Chamber, often feeling like tenants of the legislative branch. It was Chief Justice William Howard Taft, the only person to serve as both President and Chief Justice, who finally persuaded Congress to fund a dedicated building for the Court. Designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, the structure was built between 1932 and 1935 in the Neoclassical style. Gilbert selected white Vermont marble for the exterior to convey a sense of majesty and permanence, creating a Temple of Justice that stands as a symbol of the judicial branch's independence. Today, the Supreme Court Building serves as the ultimate arbiter of the Constitution, where landmark cases that define American civil liberties are heard. The courtroom itself is a masterpiece of marble and mahogany, where the nine justices preside over oral arguments. Beyond its legal functions, the building is a public monument, featuring intricate friezes and sculptures that depict the history of law from ancient civilizations to the modern era, reminding all who enter of the enduring pursuit of Equal Justice Under Law.