University of California
History Project: Fdr and Courtpacking
This lesson provides the background for the decision by President Roosevelt to attempt to expand the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to twelve. Students are to use sections from provided primary source documents to analyze the...
Library of Congress
Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: John Marshall
A brief overview of the political life of the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The Samuel Alito Nomination
Read about the Senate hearings on the nomination by President George W. Bush of Samuel Alito in January, 2006. You can find out why the hearings and the nomination were so contentious.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Marsh v Chambers, u.s. Supreme Court
Chief Justice Burger's majority opinion in the case of MARSH vs. CHAMBERS, 463 U.S. 783 (1983). The case dealt with whether an opening prayer in the Nebraska Legislature violated the First Amendment.
NBC
Nbc News: Samuel Alito Nomination Remarks
Samuel Alito's remarks after being nominated by President George W. Bush as the replacement for Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court.
CNN
Cnn: Gop Sets Up Showdown Over Alito
Some democrats in the Senate are discussing strategies for halting the confirmation of Samuel Alito for the U.S. Supreme Court. Read about the controversy and battle that is brewing in the Senate in this January, 2006, report. there is...
CBS
Cbs: What's Samuel Alito Really Like?
Interesting report about the background of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. November 2005. The site also offers today's live news feed.
Other
Abc News: Who Is Samuel Alito?
Article from October, 2005, discussing the background and views of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: October 2: Thurgood Marshall
Site about the noted career of Thurgood Marshall, leading civil rights advocate and first African-American to sit on the Supreme Court. This article has information on his education, his work with the NAACP, his involvement in Brown v....
Other
Jewish Women's Archive: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Comprehensive biographical resource tool for learning about the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish woman to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Thurgood Marshall
The first African-American on the U.S. Supreme Court as a pioneer for equal rights. Learn more about Thurgood Marshall on this Library of Congress site.
Digital History
Digital History: Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement. In this biographical account, follow the steps of Marshall from his days as a law student at Howard Law School, to his victories as chief counsel for...
US Department of State
Biographies of the Secretaries of State: William Rufus Day (1849 1923)
Brief bio of William Rufus Day, statesman and Secretary of State to William McKinley for only 5 months and eventually serving on the U.S. Supreme Court for 20 years.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: John Roberts' First Day
A very telling report of Chief Justice John Roberts' first day in the Supreme Court. Transcript, audio, and video are available of this interesting report.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The John Roberts Confirmation
Brilliant site that contains a plethora of resources related to John Roberts, the confirmation process, and Supreme Court. Find video and audio of his confirmation. Other resources include a biography and lesson plans.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: John Jay
This article chronicles the life of John Jay, one of America's founding fathers and the first chief justice of the Supreme Court. Includes a portrait and illustrations.
This Nation
This nation.com: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
This site from ThisNation.com provides Justice Henry B. Brown's full text of the Supreme Court's decision in this landmark case, written by Henry B. Brown.
This Nation
This nation.com: Dred Scott v. Sanford (1856)
This site from ThisNation.com provides Chief Justice Roger B. Taney's full text of the Supreme Court's decision in this landmark case.
This Nation
This nation.com: New York Times Co. V. Sullivan (1964)
This site from ThisNation.com provides Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.'s full text of the Supreme Court's decision in this landmark case.
This Nation
This nation.com: Branzburg v. Hayes
ThisNation.com offers the "Opinion of the court by Mr. Justice White," for the Supreme Court case of Branzburg v. Hayes, 1972.
This Nation
This nation.com: Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
The full text of Chief Justice Earl Warren's decision in this landmark Supreme Court case.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Marshall Cases
Text of landmark Supreme Court cases presided over by Chief Justice John Marshall, that decided questions of how to interpret the U.S. Constitution. The cases took place between 1801 and 1825.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Plessy v Ferguson
Read the Supreme Court opinion that solidified the concept of separate, but equal in American law. The dissenting opinion written by Justice John Harlan is also included.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez: Summary of Zelman v. Simmons Harris
This is a great summary of Zelman v. Simmons-Harris where the Supreme Court upheld school vouchers. Gives the dates the case was heard and decided, facts of the case, legal question presented, the courts decision, and how each justice...