What are 5 fun facts about the Supreme Court?
Asked by: Carter Becker PhD | Last update: April 29, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (9 votes)
The Supreme Court has some quirky history, including its own basketball court (nicknamed "the highest court in the land"), William Howard Taft being the only person to serve as both U.S. President and Chief Justice, the Court not having its own building until 1935, and Justices using quill pens during sessions (though they use modern ones now!), plus Justices like John Marshall and Salmon P. Chase appeared on large-denomination currency, says FindLaw and The National Constitution Center.
What is a fact about the Supreme Court?
Today, there is one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court. Like all federal judges, justices are appointed by the President and are confirmed by the Senate. They, typically, hold office for life. The salaries of the justices cannot be decreased during their term of office.
How old was the youngest Supreme Court justice?
After much consideration, President James Madison nominated 32-year-old Joseph Story to the Supreme Court. Confirmed by the Senate in November 1811 and taking the oath of office in February of 1812, he remains the youngest Associate Justice to serve in Supreme Court history.
What are 5 fun facts about the judicial branch?
The U.S. Judicial Branch has fun facts like William Howard Taft being the only President to also serve as Chief Justice, the Supreme Court not having its own building until 1935, justices "riding the circuit" to hear cases, using quill pens, and Justice Byron "Whizzer" White being in the Football Hall of Fame.
Who created the Supreme Court?
Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789, which formally established the federal judiciary.
United States Supreme Court Fun Facts (Top 5) - Trivia
What is the old name of the Supreme Court?
On 28 January 1950, two days after India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic, the Supreme Court was inaugurated. The inauguration took place in the Chamber of Princes in the old Parliament building where the Federal Court of India sat for 12 years from 1937 to 1950.
How old is the U.S. Supreme Court?
Established by the United States Constitution, the Supreme Court began to take shape with the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789 and has enjoyed a rich history since its first assembly in 1790.
Why is the Supreme Court so special?
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that turn on questions of U.S. constitutional or federal law.
What is the funniest Supreme Court case?
Surprising and Strange Cases in the Supreme Court
- Miller v. Jackson (1977)
- Leonard v PepsiCo (1999)
- Procter & Gamble v HM Revenue & Customs (2008)
- Re A (conjoined twins) (2000)
- R v Dudley and Stephens (1884)
- Hollywood Silver Fox Farm v Emmett (1936)
- R v Thabo-Meli.
Were there ever 10 Supreme Court justices?
It passed legislation in 1866 decreasing the number of judges from 10 to 7 so that Johnson wouldn't be able to appoint a new justice. Congress's decision was short-lived, however; SCOTUS shrank only to eight justices before the 1869 decision to set the number to nine.
Who is the oldest current Supreme Court justice?
The oldest current U.S. Supreme Court Justice is Clarence Thomas, born on June 23, 1948, making him the longest-serving and oldest member of the Court since Justice Breyer's retirement in 2022, serving since 1991 under President G.H.W. Bush.
Do Supreme Court justices have drivers?
By law, the California Supreme Court and the appellate courts must contract security services with the CHP, which took over the duty in 1995 when it absorbed the old state police department.
How often does the Supreme Court meet?
When the Court is sitting, public sessions begin promptly at 10 a.m. The Justices generally hear two oral arguments in the morning, with occasional afternoon sessions scheduled as necessary. Public sessions are typically held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
What do Supreme Court justices wear?
Since at least 1800, it has been traditional for Justices to wear black robes while in Court.
What are the most interesting Supreme Court cases?
Landmark United States Supreme Court Cases
- Marbury v. Madison (1803) ...
- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ...
- Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) ...
- Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) ...
- Schenck v. United States (1919) ...
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ...
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) ...
- Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
How much do justices get paid?
Justice salaries vary significantly by court level (federal/state/local) and jurisdiction, with U.S. Supreme Court justices earning over $300k (Chief Justice) or $285k+ (Associate Justices) as of early 2024, while state/local judges earn less, often starting around $160k-$230k, with potential for higher pay with experience or in higher courts, though federal salaries are generally highest, with adjustments for cost-of-living.
What is the stupidest court case?
We all know the most famous frivolous lawsuit story. Stella Liebeck sued McDonald's back in 1992 when she spilled hot coffee on herself. "But coffee is meant to be hot" we all cry. Dig a little deeper into the case however and it starts to look less frivolous.
What celebrity sued for $1?
Nah, Gwyneth Paltrow 's motivation to go to trial to fight a lawsuit accusing her of sending a fellow skier “absolutely flying” at a posh Utah ski resort in 2016 was about vindication. She got it when a jury found her not at fault in the collision, granting her exactly the $1 she sought in her countersuit.
Did TikTok win the Supreme Court case?
The nine-month legal battle between ByteDance—the Chinese company that owns TikTok—and the United States government ended in a win for the government on January 17, 2025, when the US Supreme Court issued a decision in TikTok, Inc. v. Garland that upheld the ban passed by Congress.
What are three interesting facts about the Supreme Court?
Here are some interesting facts about the Court over the years:
- John Marshall is only one of two justices to appear on U.S. currency. ...
- The Court really didn't have a fully functional home until 1935. ...
- Yes, Taft was the only president who sat on the Court, but not the only presidential candidate.
Can a Supreme Court justice be removed?
The Constitution states that Justices "shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour." This means that the Justices hold office as long as they choose and can only be removed from office by impeachment. Has a Justice ever been impeached? The only Justice to be impeached was Associate Justice Samuel Chase in 1805.
Why was the Supreme Court created?
The U.S. Supreme Court was established by Article 3 of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution granted the Supreme Court ultimate jurisdiction over all laws, but it wasn't until the 1803 Marbury v. Madison case that the court explicitly asserted its role as an arbiter of a law's constitutionality.
Who is the youngest Supreme Court judge now?
The youngest U.S. Supreme Court Justice is Amy Coney Barrett, born January 28, 1972, making her the youngest currently serving justice, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2020.
Does the Supreme Court have an age limit?
Supreme court justices may be appointed for a term of years, have a mandatory retirement age, or be given 'life tenure' with a mandatory retirement age. Mandatory retirement age ranges from 60 – 75 years.
Who is the oldest Supreme Court right now?
The oldest current U.S. Supreme Court Justice is Clarence Thomas, born on June 23, 1948, making him the longest-serving and oldest member of the Court since Justice Breyer's retirement in 2022, serving since 1991 under President G.H.W. Bush.