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.

    
On July 26, 1775, the U.S. postal system was established by the
Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin (above)
as its first postmaster general.

Franklin (1706-1790) put in place the foundation for many
aspects of today’s mail system.

As commerce and communication flowed through the mail and
the colonial postal system rapidly expanded, postal roads
became more dangerous.

       

William Goddard (1740 – 1817)

On July 26, 1775, the U.S. postal system was established by the
Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its
first postmaster general. Franklin (1706-1790) put in place
the foundation for many aspects of today’s mail system.

     
   
     
    
   
On June 13, 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its
decision in Miranda v. Arizona, establishing the principle that
all criminal suspects must be advised of their rights before
interrogation.

If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you,” has
been heard so many times in television and film dramas that
it has become almost cliche.     
    
    

The United States Military Academy—the first military school
in the United States, was founded by Congress for the purpose
of educating and training young men in the theory and practice
of military science. Located at West Point, New York, the U.S.
Military Academy is often simply known as West Point.