This Day in History

The Foundation of Justice: The First U.S. Supreme Court Is Established in 1789

TDIH

A New Nation’s Judicial System Takes Shape On September 24, 1789, the United States took a monumental step in building its judicial system with the establishment of the Supreme Court. Signed into law by President George Washington, the Judiciary Act of 1789 laid the foundation for the federal judiciary and created the Supreme Court as […]

Storming of the Bastille

The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, is a seminal event in the French Revolution, symbolizing the collapse of the ancient régime and the emergence of popular sovereignty. On this historic day, a large crowd of Parisians, frustrated by oppressive government policies and economic hardships, besieged the medieval fortress-prison known as the Bastille. […]

 The U.S. Constitution Takes Effect

On March 4, 1789, the first session of Congress was held as the United States Constitution officially took effect as the governing framework for the newly formed nation. This monumental moment laid the foundation for American democracy and set the stage for the nation’s growth and development.

The First American Presidential Election

January 7th, 1789, saw the inauguration of the first American presidential election, as electors cast their votes for George Washington. This event set the stage for the democratic traditions of the United States.

Congress of the United States

The first Congress of the United States proposed twelve amendments to the Constitution, ten of which would become the Bill of Rights, safeguarding individual liberties.

Judiciary Act

The United States Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789, establishing the federal judiciary system and the office of the Attorney General.