The Supreme Court Building.

John Jay, the first chief justice of the US Supreme Court.

John Marshall, one of the longest serving and most influential chief justices in Supreme Court history.

Roger B. Taney, chief justice in the years leading up to the Civil War who presided over the controversial Dred Scott v. Sandford case, 1857.

The Chase Court, which served during the first years of Radical Reconstruction.

Edward D. White, the son of a slaveholder who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War; his appointment to the Supreme Court in 1894 was a big surprise to Republicans and Democrats alike.

William Howard Taft, to date the only former American president to serve on the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 and one of the most controversial appointees to the Court.

Earl Warren, chief justice of the Court during one of the most tumultuous periods in 20th century American history.

Appointed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to serve on the Court.

Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman to serve on the Court.

William Rehnquist, a conservative Republican nominated to the Court by President Nixon, surprised many by voting with liberals to protect gay rights and freedom of speech.