The United States Supreme Court is the highest court of the land, it decides cases connected with the Constitution or with federal laws. The structure, built in the 1930s, is relatively young compared to many of the buildings you’ve seen on this tour. It was built in neoclassical style in the likeness of the Greek Parthenon. Notice the high portico and wide marble staircase. To each side of the staircase you’ll see marble statues of seated giants. The Authority of Law is on the right; the Contemplation of Justice is on the left. On the facade of the building immediately under the front is the inscription “Justice in Law.”
It’s interesting to note that, until 1935, the Supreme Court did not have its own building; instead, the court held its meetings in various places in the Capitol Building. Then the Supreme Justice William Howard Taft, the only U.S. president to also serve on the Supreme Court, called on Congress to approve the construction of a building for the Supreme Court. Sadly, Taft died a month before his lifelong dream was competed.
