Imagine Supreme Court Justices riding through the forest on horseback, black robes flowing behind them. With no permanent home, the first justices rode circuit around the countryside of our newly formed nation. Beginning in 1800 the court resided in the United States Capital Building.

The Supreme Court moved into their own building when Cass Gilbert designed and built this current monumental stone and marble edifice in 1935.

In this building resides one of the three branches of political power formed by the United States Constitution. From the halls of this building have come monumental decisions affecting all Americans such as Brown versus The Board of Education, which desegregated schools, Browder versus Gayle, which desegregated transportation, and Roe versus Wade, which upheld a woman's right to abortion.

The Constitution does not spell out the exact duties or powers of the Supreme Court. Its wording is quite simple, "The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme court."

Through landmark cases, such as Marbury versus Madison, the Supreme Court established its equal footing with the other branches of government.

The highest court in the land hears cases between states, appeals from states regarding federal laws, and reviews of decisions made by federal appellate courts.

Discussed in absolute secrecy, the Judges determine which cases to accept out of thousands received each year.

The nine men and women who make up the Supreme Court today no longer ride circuit. They work in the Roman Revival building facing the United States Capital. Carved into the marble abouve the main entrance are the words Equal Justice Under Law."

Researched by Cynthia Catellier

University of West Florida

Public History