Today in History

October 19, 1789

The First Chief Justice

On this date in 1789, Chief Justice John Jay is sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States.

Nominated by George Washington to fill the role, John Jay helped to develop early principles upon which the nation's highest court would later build its jurisprudence.

Jay was later Governor of New York from 1795 to 1801 and became a leading opponent of slavery. He saw the emancipation of all slaves in the state of New York prior to his death.

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