United States Supreme Court building facts for kids
The Supreme Court building is the home of the Supreme Court of the United States. It is located in Washington, D.C., the capital city. This important building was designed by a famous architect named Cass Gilbert. It's where the highest court in the country works to interpret laws and make big decisions.
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What is the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It's like the final referee for all legal questions. The Court's job is to make sure laws follow the U.S. Constitution. There are nine judges, called justices, who work here. They are chosen to serve for their entire lives, or until they retire.
Why is the Building Important?
The Supreme Court building is more than just an office. It's a symbol of justice and the rule of law in America. Millions of people visit it every year. The building shows how important the Court's work is to the country. It stands for fairness and equal justice for everyone.
Designing the Supreme Court Building
For many years, the Supreme Court did not have its own building. The justices worked in different places, including the U.S. Capitol building. In the 1930s, they finally got their own special home.
Who Designed This Landmark?
The architect Cass Gilbert designed the Supreme Court building. He was a very skilled architect who also designed other famous buildings. Gilbert wanted the building to look strong and important. He used classic Greek and Roman styles in his design. The building was finished in 1935. Sadly, Gilbert passed away before it was fully completed.
Inside the Supreme Court Building
The Supreme Court building is beautiful both inside and out. It has many grand rooms and halls. The main courtroom is where the justices hear cases.
Materials and Art
The building is made mostly of marble. Much of the marble came from different states in the U.S. For example, some parts use white Alabama marble. Other areas feature colorful Siena marble from Italy. There are also many statues and carvings. These artworks show ideas like justice, liberty, and law.
Famous Statues
Outside the building, you can see two large statues. On the west side is Equal Justice Under Law. On the east side is Justice the Guardian of Liberty. These phrases are also carved into the building itself. Inside, there are other statues like Contemplation of Justice and Authority of Law. These statues remind everyone about the Court's important mission.
Spiral Staircases
One cool feature inside are the two self-supporting spiral staircases. They are made of Alabama marble. These stairs seem to float without any visible support. They are a great example of the building's amazing design.
Images for kids
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Interior of the Supreme Court Building.
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West façade and plaza
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Supreme Court Building from United States Capitol dome
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United States Supreme Court bronze doors.
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The Supreme Court courtroom interior with its Siena marble.
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View of the Alabama marble in the hallway.
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One of two self-supporting spiral staircases in Alabama marble.
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Equal Justice Under Law over the western façade.
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Justice the Guardian of Liberty over the eastern façade.
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Flagpole base.
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The Contemplation of Justice statue.
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The Authority of Law statue.
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Aerial view of Washington D.C., showing position of the courthouse (lower left) in relation to the Capitol building.
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The Supreme Court Building of the United States
See also
In Spanish: Edificio de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos para niños
