America’s first president George Washington addressed the
assembled Congress with the first State of the Union on this
day in history, Jan. 8, 1780.

Washington’s address took place at Federal Hall in New York
City — and addressed a variety of topics including national
defense, foreign policy, economics and education.

Federal Hall in New York City.

COMILLE BOHANNON

Film director Martin Charles Scorsese is 80 years old today.

The first Congress of the United States approved 12 amendments
to the U.S. Constitution, and sent them to the states for ratification.

The amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were designed to
protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens, guaranteeing the freedom
of speech, press, assembly, and exercise of religion; the right to
fair legal procedure, to bear arms; and that powers not delegated
to the federal government were reserved for the states and the
people.

The Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed
by President George Washington, 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.

(E pluribus unum, a Latin phrase meaning “Out of Many One.”)

On June 20, 1782, Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United 
States after six years of discussion.

Late on the afternoon of July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams
"to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America."