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.
Soylent Communications
Notable Names Database: James Wilson
A short but detailed biography of this delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Pennsylvania. Wilson later served as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)
Learn about the Dred Scott decision and why it changed the course of American history even though many now consider it the worst opinion ever rendered by the U.S. Supreme Court. Includes full-page scans of the decision, a transcription,...
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Blair
A biography of John Blair, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Virginia. He later served as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Rutledge
A nice biographical sketch of this delegate from South Carolina to the Constitutional Convention. He later served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court.
Other
Civics Resources: Worcester v. Georgia
In December 1829, President Andrew Jackson announced his Indian removal proposal in an address to the U.S. Congress. In 1830 Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the president to grant the Indians unsettled lands west...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Dred Scott Decision
Read the terms of the Dred Scott decision which determined that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. See why this decision was so controversial and completely unacceptable to the northerners, thus driving an additional wedge...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Roosevelt's Critics
Franklin Roosevelt had many critics, many of whom criticized him for not going far enough with his New Deal legislation. Read about three such critics and their plans.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: Schenck v. United States (1919)
This U.S. Supreme Court case established the famous "clear and present danger" doctrine by dealing with the issue of freedom of speech. This resource provides an abstract containing a summary, a link to the full text of the decision, and...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
This U.S. Supreme Court case dealt with the issues of slavery, citizenship, and property rights. It is detailed with an abstract providing a concise summary and a record of the justices that sat on the Court at that time.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: United States v. Nixon (1974)
This U.S. Supreme Court case required President Nixon to produce the Watergate Tapes. This resource provides an abstract containing a concise summary, a link to the full text of the decision, and a record of how the justices that sat on...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: United States v. Butler (1936)
This U.S. Supreme Court case declared the first Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) of the New Deal illegal because of the issue of Federalism. This resource provides an abstract containing a concise summary, a link to the full text of the...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
The U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and dealt with the issues of equal protection and racial discrimination. This resource provides an abstract containing a concise summary, a link to the full text of the...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Oyez Project: Marbury v. Madison (1803)
The U.S. Supreme Court case that established the precedent for judicial review is detailed, with an abstract providing a concise summary and a record of the justices that sat on the court at that time.
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.
Other
The Federalist Papers: John Jay
A good biography of John Jay's extensive political efforts for U.S. throughout his life.
Other
Oprah.com: Phenomenal Woman: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
This site contains biographical information and an interview with Chief Justice Ginsburg.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
This site from the University of Groningen contains comprehensive biographical information about Justice Holmes.
This Nation
This nation.com: Brown v. Board of Education 2 (1955)
This site from ThisNation.com provides Chief Justice Earl Warren's full text of the Supreme Court's decision in this landmark case.
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: The Preamble
The preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. It outlines the general goals of the framers: to create a just government and to ensure peace, adequate national defense, and a healthy, free nation. With its first three words, "We...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Abraham Baldwin 1754 1807
Baldwin was born at Guilford, Conn., in 1754, the second son of a blacksmith who fathered 12 children by 2 wives. Besides Abraham, several of the family attained distinction. His sister Ruth married the poet and diplomat Joel Barlow, and...
Library of Congress
Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Oliver Ellsworth
A brief biography of Oliver Ellsworth, the delegate from Connecticut to the Constitutional Convention. He also served as a senator and as a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Curated OER
Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr.
January, 2006, report covering the confirmation of Samuel Alito's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. There is also a brief video report from the Associated Press that goes along with this article.