Antonin Scalia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Antonin Scalia
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
In office September 26, 1986 – February 12/13, 2016
Nominated by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	William Rehnquist
Succeeded by	Neil Gorsuch
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
In office August 17, 1982 – September 26, 1986
Nominated by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Roger Robb
Succeeded by	David Sentelle
United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel
In office August 22, 1974 – January 20, 1977
President	Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Roger C. Cramton
Succeeded by	John Harmon
Personal details
Born	Antonin Gregory Scalia (1936-03-11)March 11, 1936 Trenton, New Jersey, U.S
Died	February 13, 2016 (aged 79) Shafter, Texas, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Maureen McCarthy ​ ​ (m. 1960; his death 2016)​
Children	9 (including Eugene)
Alma mater	Georgetown University Harvard University
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Antonin Gregory Scalia (March 11, 1936 – February 13, 2016) was a Conservative jurist on the Supreme Court of the United States. He was an Associate Justice. Scalia was put on the Court in 1986 by Ronald Reagan and was the longest-serving justice on the Court. Before becoming a justice, he was on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and was a law professor. He was a Roman Catholic born to Italian American parents. He was the first Italian-American on the Court.

Early life

Scalia was born in Trenton, New Jersey, but grew up in Queens, New York. Scalia went to Georgetown University, the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and Harvard Law School. He began his career in Cleveland, Ohio and traveled to Chicago, Illinois during his early life.

Supreme Court Justice

Scalia was noted for holding a conservative approach to the law. He also believed in originalism. This means he wanted the Constitution interpreted exactly as its framers had wanted it. Scalia and fellow judge Clarence Thomas often had the same viewpoints. He was friends with justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Death

Scalia died in his sleep on February 13, 2016 at a ranch in Shafter, Texas at the age of 79. His death left a split in the court with 4 conservatives and 4 liberals. President Barack Obama said he would choose Scalia's successor in "due time". President Obama, former Governor of Texas Rick Perry, Governor of Ohio John Kasich, former Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Bernie Sanders, and Vice president Joe Biden all reacted to his death.

Replacement

On March 16, 2016, President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to replace Scalia. After Republicans refused to give Garland a confirmation hearing, his nomination expired in January 2017. On January 31, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace Scalia. Gorsuch was sworn into office on Monday, April 10, 2017, in two ceremonies.

Honors

In November 2018, Scalia received a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump.

Images for kids

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  President Reagan and his Supreme Court nominee Scalia in the Oval Office, July 7, 1986

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  The 2009–2010 Court, with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and retiring justice David Souter with Scalia fourth from right

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  Scalia in 2010

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  Scalia (right) works on a book with Bryan A. Garner.

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  President Trump presents Scalia's Medal of Freedom posthumously to his widow, Maureen.