The Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed
by President George Washington on this day, establishing the
Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six
justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement.

That day, President Washington nominated John Jay to preside
as chief justice, and John Rutledge, William Cushing, John Blair,
Robert Harrison and James Wilson to be associate justices.

On September 26, all six appointments were confirmed by the
U.S. Senate.       
        
        
        
        
        
        
      
John Jay (1745 – 1829)

First photograph of the U.S. Supreme Court, by Alexander Gardner, 1867.