The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the basement of the U.S. Capitol from 1819-1860. (Source: Library of Congress)
For some lawyers, it’s the highlight of their career. For others, it doesn’t even make it onto their Wikipedia page.
The accomplishment? Arguing a case in front of the United States Supreme Court.
We’ve all heard about how William H. Taft became Chief Justice of the United States after he was President, but another President made a less well-known stop at the Highest Court in the Land on his way to the White House.
In 1849, Abraham Lincoln was wrapping up his first and only term as a Congressman. During his time in Congress, Lincoln was a member of the Whig party.