U.S. Supreme Court, Washington D.C.

The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the country.The Supreme Court building is quite new compared to other symbols of American democracy. Completed in 1935, (145 years after the Supreme Court first met) this building is where the nine black-robed Supreme Court justices interpret our nation's laws. This building is an impressive sight with its 16 white Vermont marble columns that stand outside the front entrance. Above the columns is written the famous phrase "Equal Justice Under Law"

If the justices decide a law violates the U.S. Constitution, they have the power to reject that law. These justices hear, on average, 500 cases a year. About 500,000 visitors tour the Supreme Court building each year.

The Supreme Court building resembles a Greek temple. The bronze entrance doors are oversized and weighs over 13 tons. Its majestic look attracts not only visitors. Each year, the building is the site of many demonstrations where people gather to protest laws they think unfair.

Located ust a few steps away from the Capitol, makes it easy to see and to visit.

Nerd that I am, I was very excited about going to see the Supreme Court. I find it facinating that in many ways this body of 9 people has more power over daily life in the US than any other group of individuals. You can take free guided tours of the Supreme Court Building, check out cool exhibits that explain how the judicial system works, and even hear oral arguments when the court is in session (Oct - April.). The building iteself is very beautiful and contains sculpture, statutes, and friezes depicting Justice, Liberty, and Equality. Cool.

The Constitution didn’t explain the exact powers and privileges of the Supreme
Court . Therefore it was left to Congress and to the Justices of the Court through their decisions to develop the Federal Judiciary and a body of Federal law. The establishment of a Federal Judiciary was a high priority for the new government, and the first bill introduced in the United States Senate became the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Supreme Court, the country’s’ highest judicial tribunal, was to sit in the Nation’s Capital, and was initially composed of a Chief Justice and five Associate Justices.

Surprisingly, despite its role as a coequal branch of government, the Supreme Court was not provided with a building of its own until 1935, the 146th year of its existence. Up till that time it moved from site to site.

Finally in 1929, Chief Justice William Howard Taft, the former president, persuaded Congress to end this situation and authorized the construction of a permanent home for the Court. The construction, begun in 1932 and was complete three years later. A classical Corinthian architectural style was selected because it best harmonized with nearby congressional buildings. The general dimensions of the foundation are 385 feet from east to west, (front to back) and 304 feet from north to south. At its greatest height, the building rises four stories
above the terrace or ground floor.

The main entrance to the Supreme Court Building is on the west side, facing the
United States Capitol. A few low steps lead up to the 252-foot-wide oval plaza in front of
the building. Flanking these steps is a pair of marble candelabra with carved panels
on their square bases depicting: Justice, holding sword and scales, and The Three Fates, weaving the thread of life. On either side of the plaza are fountains, flagpoles, and benches.

The bronze flagpole bases are crested with symbolic designs of the scales and sword,
the book, the mask and torch, the pen and mace, and the four elements: air, earth, fire, and water.

Here is the key to the judicial branch of the United States government. This building is found across from the Capitol building. Look for the inscription "Equal Justice Under Law" on the pediment to identify this building. Inside this neoclassical building is the chamber of the nation's highest court. As you enter, just imagine the historic decisions that have taken place here. Notice that the chairs for the justices vary in height. They are actually fitted to the specifications for whomever sits there. some informative tours are given inside the chamber.

The U.S. Supreme Court did not have a home of its own for about 150 years. Thanks to the effort of William Taft, who was the President of the U.S. then the Chief Justice, in 1929 the Congress finally authorized the construction of the current building, as seen in photo, and it was completed in 1935. On top of this Corinthian-style architecture engraved "EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW". Now that's a tall order.

The photo shows U.S. Supreme Court Chamber. The 9 chairs shown in the photo seat the 9 justices who are the interpreters of the Constitution and the final artiters of the law. If I remember correctly, the Supreme Court justice is a life-term position.

The room is smaller than it seems on TV. Certain time of the year the court room is open to the public, and visitors are invited to attend the oral arguments on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The US Supreme Court building is the home of the highest court in the US. The Supreme Court building opened in 1935. Before this, the Court shared the Capitol with Congress.

The building contains some amazing statues and sculptures, and the bronze doors at the entrance are also a highlight. The 16 columns on the outside are made of marble, and there are busts of each former Chief Justice on marble pedastals inside. There is much more to see in this great building.

On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from October to April, visitors can sit in on oral arguments. This is on a first-come first-served basis.

Hours are 9 AM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

Located at One First Street NE, the Supreme Court of the United States offers Public Lectures conducted in the courtroom every hour on the half hour between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm Monday through Friday, except when the court is in session.

The Court consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices.