Last class, we watch a video about the history of the Supreme Court and here's what I learned...
In 1801, the government moved to Washington D.C.
Petitions arrive day by day, all year long.
Every day, these justices work hard to review a variety of cases on their own and refer back to the 200-year-old Constitution to provide a final outcome. In history, there have been over 100 Supreme Court justices and most justices serve for an average of 16 years.
Joining the court can be humbling, but also "akin to being struck by lightning," said one Justice. Being a justice is very stressful and intimidating. "We are quiet, but its the quiet of a storm center. The power rests on the public face."
After the Civil War, the constitution was amended to abolish slavery, define citizenship, and grant voting rights. After the Constitution was made, the bill of rights was added, which included the amendments. Before our time, women were unable to vote, slavery was a major issue, Native Americans were treated unfairly, and more.
The 14th amendment told the states they can not deny due process of law or equal protection of the law to any citizen. The 19th amendment allowed women the right to vote.
The Supreme Court refers to the Constitution when needing to resolve national problems. It's an advantage to have and reference. It's also an open-ended business, which the majority think its all secrets.
With almost 200 years of history, when the Supreme Court speaks, people obey. "Unspoken contract is one of the hidden keys to our freedom," said the narrator.
"If the Court ever stopped defending the Constitution or the people ever stopped listening, then one of the treasures that keep this the freest nation in the world ceases to exist." The Supreme Court is the most powerful judicial body not only in the government but in America.
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