The US Supreme Court: Finally Getting its Due

I have to apologize for something.  In some of my recent written items I have called Congress and the Supreme Court "the second and third branches" of our government.  This was terribly misspoken.  If our constitution wrote anything clearly, it's that there is no hierarchy in the beautiful checks and balances system of our amazing government.  It was thoughtless of me.

I would like to point out, however, that I am not the first person to unintentionally diminish the role of the judicial branch.  For about 140 years, the entire country was doing it.

The building pictured here is beautiful, right?  Beautiful, majestic, and powerful - everything a building for the Supreme Court should be.  But did you know the Supreme Court didn't even receive its own building until 1935?  That is about 160 years after this country was founded.  William Howard Taft was the wonderful person who finally persuaded Congress to give the Supreme Court its due.  He was Chief Justice at the time and a former US President, and congress listened to him.  Before then the Supreme Court had heard arguments for all those years in portions of the Capitol building, including rooms the Senate had outgrown.  It was about time they got a place of their own worthy of their prestigious calling.

The Supreme Court building is a fascinating addition to Washington D.C. educational tours.  The busts of all former Chief Justices grace the Great Hall as well as portraits of other justices.  There is a gift shop and video for visitors, and most of the interior is covered with beautiful marble.  But of course, the most thrilling part of the building is the courtroom itself.  Visitors are welcome to hear arguments when court is in session.  Visitors are seated on a first-come-first-served basis.  On other days, visitors are still welcome in the chamber as lectures are held there every hour starting at 9:30 a.m.

Students with any interest at all in the law will find this the most memorable and inspiring part of their Washington D.C. tour.  And everyone will enjoy the impressive building and fascinating glimpse into this famous and equal branch of our national government.

(Photo by dbking on Flickr)