U.S. Supreme Court Holds First Session

Summary

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal court system, including a Supreme Court with a chief justice and five associates. President George Washington appointed John Jay as the first chief justice in September 1789. On February 1, 1790, the Court convened in New York City’s Royal Exchange Building, then the national capital, though a quorum delay pushed formal business to the next day. The justices focused initially on organization and procedure rather than cases. This gathering marked the operational start of the judicial branch under the new Constitution.

Why It Matters

The session launched the independent federal judiciary that would interpret the Constitution for generations. It set precedents for court administration and separation of powers still followed today. The institution grew into a co-equal branch influencing American law and governance.

Related Portfolio Site

America 250 Atlas: U.S. Supreme Court Holds First Session is part of U.S. presidential, constitutional, or national civic history.

Sources

1. First session of the U.S. Supreme Court, HISTORY.com. Accessed 2026-07-08.
2. The Court as an Institution, Supreme Court of the United States. Accessed 2026-07-08.