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New U.S. Supreme Court Term Begins Today

By IMattson
The latest Supreme Court term has been touted as having a "docket studded with momentous issues." For a sample of perspectives around the country, the New York Times, Washington Post, and LA Times all have articles highlighting some of the bigger cases.

You can also get the latest on Supreme Court decision-making from the Supreme Court's website and the ever-popular SCOTUS blog. For more historical material, take a look at The Oyez Project.

Fun facts:
  • Justices don't have to be in court to hear oral arguments they rule on. Audio recordings and transcripts suffice.
  • Odds of having a writ for certiorari heard are approximately 75/10,000 (less than 1 percent). Some argue, however, there are ways to increase your odds.
  • The youngest Justice ever appointed was 32 years old (Joseph Story, whose most famous case was US v. The Amistad).
  • Justice Louis D. Brandeis was the first Jewish Supreme Court appointee. He sat from 1916-1939.
  • Two Associate Justices were named John Marshall Harlan. The first served from 1877 to 1911. The second, his grandson, served from 1955 to 1971.
Finally, to celebrate the new term, considering snapping up a few Supreme Court Bobbleheads or trading cards from the Green Bag or treating yourself to Supreme Court trivia.