United States Supreme Court Building
United States Supreme Court Building
The United States Supreme Court Building is an iconic symbol of the American judicial system, housing the Supreme Court of the United States, which is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. The Supreme Court Building is located at 1 First Street in Northeast Washington, D.C., one block immediately east of the United States Capitol and north of the Library of Congress. The building is managed by the Architect of the Capitol.
History and Architecture
The Supreme Court Building was designed by Cass Gilbert, a prominent architect and a friend of William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States and later the 10th Chief Justice of the United States. The motivations for erecting a dedicated Supreme Court building were partly fueled by Taft's experiences in both the executive branch as President and the judicial branch as Chief Justice. Taft advocated for a permanent home for the Court to assert the independence and importance of the judiciary.
Before the establishment of Washington, D.C., as the national capital, the United States government was briefly based in New York City, where the Supreme Court met in the Merchants Exchange Building. With its completion in 1935, the Supreme Court Building provided a grand setting befitting the nation's highest court, embodying the principles of justice and the rule of law.
National Historic Landmark
On May 4, 1987, the Supreme Court Building was designated a National Historic Landmark. This designation recognizes the building's significance in American history and architecture, further underscoring its importance beyond its judicial function.