The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the judicial branch of the government.

The Court consists of nine Justices: the Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices. The Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. As federal judges, the Justices serve during "good behavior," meaning they essentially serve for life.

The Supreme Court first met on February 1 1790, at the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City, which then was the national capital. Philadelphia became the capital city later in 1790, and the Court followed Congress and the President there, meeting briefly in Independence Hall, and then from 1791 to 1800 at Old City Hall at 5th and Chestnut Streets. After Washington, D.C., became the capital in 1800, the Court occupied various spaces. until 1935, when it moved into its own permanent home at One First Street Northeast, Washington, DC.

Supreme Court chambers in the Capitol Building 1800 to 1935



The building building was designed in a classical style sympathetic to the surrounding buildings of the Capitol complex and Library of Congress by architect Cass Gilbert. The building includes space for the Courtroom, Justices' chambers, an extensive law library, various meeting spaces, and auxiliary services such as workshop, stores, cafeteria and a gymnasium.

For more information, see the links below

Supreme Court Home Page   Supreme Court Collection   U.S. Courts   Wikipedia

Supreme Court of the United States