Since the U.S. Supreme Court first assembled in 1790, it has ruled on tens of thousands of cases. The court’s decisions have defined the country’s legal framework and shaped countless aspects of U.S. society. Here are some cases that had a large impact on American life.
From a landmark Supreme Court decision on abortion to the investigation into the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, how is America dealing with divisive issues and seismic events on The Inside Story: Democracy in America.
Nearly three months after she won confirmation to the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as the court's 116th justice on Thursday.
The 51-year-old Jackson took the place Thursday of the justice she once worked for: Justice Stephen Breyer, whose retirement took effect at noon.
Moments later, joined by her family, Jackson recited the two oaths required of Supreme Court justices, one administered by Breyer and the other by Chief Justice John Roberts.
“With a full heart, I accept the solemn responsibility of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor, so help me God,” Jackson said in a statement issued by the court. “I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great Nation. I extend my sincerest thanks to all of my new colleagues for their warm and gracious welcome.”
Roberts welcomed Jackson “to the court and our common calling.” The ceremony was streamed live on the court's website.
Jackson, a federal judge since 2013, is joining three other women, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett — the first time four women will serve together on the nine-member court.
POP QUIZ
USCIS 100:01. What is the supreme law of the land?
USCIS 100:12. What is the “rule of law”?
USCIS 100:37. What does the judicial branch do?
USCIS 100:38. What is the highest court in the United States?
USCIS 100:39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
USCIS 100:40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
U.S. lawmakers’ investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol resumed Tuesday with testimony from a top Trump White House aide. As VOA’s congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson explains, the testimony sheds new light on the former president’s attempt to hold onto power.
From March to May 2022, USCIS released a series of factsheets that highlight Lawful Permanent Residents who are eligible to--but have not naturalized--yet. Please check this list and consider how to tailor your ESL/Citizenship to help these LPRs to become U.S. citizens.
In honor of LGBT Pride Month, a single question about the Flag: Long May She Wave! Text: uscitizenpod | Video: Lori Saltis Take the full quiz: LOVE AND PRIDE: A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of LGBT Pride Month (10 questions)
Equal treatment. That’s the idea behind the Civil Rights Act. One part of the legislation, called Title VII deals with the workplace. What does that mean for American workers? VOA explains.
The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the decades-old Roe v. Wade decision, which said women have a constitutional right to have an abortion. States will now decide whether to permit the procedure; it's expected that roughly half could do so. VOA’s Laurel Bowman reports.
Learn more:
USCIS 100:37-47 System of Gov’t: Judicial Branch, State Gov’t, Political Parties pdf
N-400 Section Interviews: Thirty N-400 Section Practice Interviews Based on the USCIS Application for Naturalization (updated). Download all 30 interviews in one convenientpdf!
