January 1 is one of the most noteworthy days in American history, marking President Abraham Lincoln’s decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

On December 27, 1771, future Supreme Court Justice William Johnson, Jr., was born in South Carolina. Johnson has attracted a following among Court watchers over the years for his little-understood role as the first prominent dissenter in Supreme Court history.

On December 12, 2000, the Supreme Court ended a Florida vote recount in the presidential election contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore.  The Court’s decision remains debated today.

On December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment was ratified after the state of Georgia approved the amendment as it was proposed to the states by Congress. That act officially ended the practice of slavery in the United States.

Today marks the anniversary of Rosa Parks’ decision to sit down for her rights on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus, putting the effort to end segregation on a fast track.

On November 3, 1884, the United States Supreme Court issued one of its most controversial decisions, stating that American Indians who paid taxes didn’t have the right to vote in elections.

Abortion became a major focus for the first time on the Democratic presidential primary debate stage, when Senator Kamala Harris highlighted her plan for cracking down on states that unconstitutionally restrict abortion last Tuesday.

When we think about trial by jury in criminal cases, we all probably envision a 12-member jury that must reach a unanimous verdict to convict. But under a pair of Supreme Court cases from half a century ago, that is not actually a constitutional requirement.

On Monday, the first day of the new Supreme Court term, the Court heard argument in Kahler v. Kansas, a case that could generate an entirely new line of constitutional jurisprudence. The case revolves around the “insanity defense,” an ancient doctrine under which people who committed crimes because of their severe mental illness would not be held legally culpable.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in two major cases about Title VII and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.