Digital History
Digital History: Plessy v. Ferguson
A very thorough explanation of the famous Supreme Court decision about Plessy v. Ferguson. It upheld the idea of "separate but equal," which was in effect until Brown v Board of Education in 1954. See who opposed the decision, and read...
Digital History
Digital History: Mc Culloch v. Maryland [Pdf]
The formation of the Second Bank of the United States and its actions were a prelude to the very important Supreme Court decision, McCulloch v. Maryland. Read about the issues that were debated and the unanimous decision handed down by...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Amendment V: Barron v. Baltimore
Provides the opinion of the Supreme Court written by Chief Justice Marshall in the case of Barron v. Mayor of Baltimore.
The Washington Post
Washington Post: Us Congress Votes Database: Senate Confirmation: John Roberts
Brief analysis of the confirmation vote on Chief Justice John Roberts to the Supreme Court. (2005)
The Washington Post
Washington Post: Us Congress Votes Database: Senate Confirmation: Samuel Alito
Brief analysis of the confirmation vote for Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. (2006)
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: John Marshall: True to His Party?
Students will take part in an inquiry-based lesson in which they will analyze the rulings by John Marshall as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. After evaluation, they will justify through blogging whether John Marshall held up the...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: New York Times v. United States (1971)
This U.S. Supreme Court case allowed the publication of the "Pentagon Papers." The OYEZ resource provides an abstract containing a concise summary, an audio file, a link to the full text of the decision and a record of how the justices...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "You Have the Right to Remain Silent": History of Miranda Rights
Can your rights protect you if you don't even know what they are? Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona answered that question by requiring police officers to read the "Miranda Rights" when making an arrest. This text will explain the...
Digital History
Digital History: Equality Postponed [Pdf]
Read the background of the controversial Supreme Court decision in the Plessy v Ferguson case. Follow the arguments for and against "separate but equal." [pdf]
Digital History
Digital History: Affirmative Action and the Case of Allan Bakke [Pdf]
The history of affirmative action was interwoven with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Read about how the federal government under both President Kennedy and President Nixon attempted to open up jobs to...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Impact of Dred Scott: The Decision
Describes the difficult process the US Supreme Court judges went through in preparing their final decision in the Dred Scott case.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Dred Scott: Dissenting Opinions and Reactions
Describes the fallout after the Dred Scott decision by the US Supreme Court, where two judges released their dissenting opinions, newspaper articles both reviled and supported the decision, and public debate raged.
Seymour Brody
Jewish Heroes in America: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
This site has biographical information about the second woman to serve as a Justice of The U.S. Supreme Court.
Danuta Bois
Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Brief biographical sketch of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman appointed to the Supreme Court.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Clarence Thomas
Learn biographical details on Clarence Thomas, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1991, the second African-American to serve on the court.
Social Studies for Kids
Social Studies for Kids: Thurgood Marshall: Civil Rights Advocate
Thurgood Marshall successfully convinced the Supreme Court to rule that segregation was illegal in Brown v. Board of education, then later served on the Court itself. Find out more about this famous lawyer.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Sandra Day O'connor
Encyclopaedia Britannica provides a brief biography of Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: Antonin Scalia
Excellent biographical site on Justice Antonin Scalia including links to personal facts about his life, a biography, and a listing of the cases he judged over with links to those cases.
Other
Earliest Voices William Taft
Hear historic voice recordings of Supreme Court Justice and President William Howard Taft on such issues as the gold standard, the right of labor, and the rise and progress of the American Negro. A biography and downloadable images...
Other
Oprah.com: Phenomenal Woman: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
This site contains biographical information and an interview with Chief Justice Ginsburg.
Curated OER
Cnn.com:change at the Supreme Court
CNN article providing detailed information on the Senate confirmation hearing of Samuel Alito who was sworn in as the 110th Supreme Court justice on January 31st, 2006.
Harvard University
Harvard Law: Freedom of Speech and Anonymous Speech
This site from Cyber Harvard Law offers summaries of three different Supreme Court cases which address the limits of free speech. Includes interactive opinion, multiple-choice questions. Links to the written opinions of the Court for...
Other
Northwest Arkansas Community College: Landmark Cases: Engle v. Vitale
At this site, you can read either the full opinion or just areas of the decision of the Supreme Court case of Engle v. Vitale which ruled on the constitutionality of school prayers.