Historical Case Timeline

Here you can find the most influential cases in U.S. Supreme Court history. Travel through time to learn about the details of important decisions that govern America’s legal system

March 6th, 1819

McCulloch v. Maryland

The “Supremacy Clause” is a foundational principle of our government…

February 24th, 1803

Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison is arguably the most important United States Supreme Court case in history…

March 2nd, 1824

Gibbons v. Ogden

By the early 19th century, the young American nation was on the move—literally…

February 14th, 1837

Charles Bridge v. Warren Bridge

This landmark Supreme Court decision reshaped how American law views state-issued charters and the balance that must be maintained between private economic interest and public welfare.





March 6th, 1957

Dred Scott v. Sanford

The case was monumental as, at the time, it made the Missouri Compromise essentially useless, as African Americans anywhere were declared not to be citizens…