Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

Supreme Court of the United States trivia explores the people, cases, and customs behind the tribunal established in 1789 as the highest judicial authority in the federal system. From famous rulings and memorable dissents to surprising courtroom details, it offers a family-friendly way to learn how the Court has influenced American history and public life.

Easy Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

13 questions

These easy Supreme Court of the United States trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.

Question 1
What is the Supreme Court in the federal judiciary of the United States?
Answer: It is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States.
The Supreme Court sits at the top of the federal court system.
Question 2
In what city does the Supreme Court meet?
1. A.Washington, D.C.
2. B.New York City
3. C.Philadelphia
4. D.Boston
Answer: Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court meets in Washington, D.C.
Question 3
How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?
1. A.12
2. B.9
3. C.7
4. D.8
Answer: Nine justices.
The Court currently has nine justices.
Question 4
What is the title of the one justice who leads the Supreme Court?
Answer: Chief Justice of the United States.
One member of the Court serves is the Chief Justice of the United States.
Question 5
Which part of the U.S. Constitution established the Supreme Court?
1. A.Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
2. B.Article I
3. C.Article II
4. D.The Bill of Rights
Answer: Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
The Supreme Court was established by Article III.
Question 6
What year did the Supreme Court hold its first session?
1. A.1800
2. B.1790
3. C.1776
4. D.1789
Answer: 1790.
The Court’s first session was held in 1790.
Question 7
Who was the first Chief Justice of the United States?
1. A.John Jay
2. B.John Roberts
3. C.James Madison
4. D.John Marshall
Answer: John Jay.
John Jay was the first Chief Justice.
Question 8
Who became Chief Justice in 2005?
1. A.William Rehnquist
2. B.Sonia Sotomayor
3. C.John Roberts
4. D.John Jay
Answer: John Roberts.
John Roberts became Chief Justice in 2005.
Question 9
The Supreme Court Building opened in what year?
1. A.1935
2. B.1901
3. C.1929
4. D.1954
Answer: 1935.
The building opened in 1935.
Question 10
What street name appears in the Supreme Court’s address, 1 First Street NE?
Answer: First Street.
The Court is located at 1 First Street NE.
Question 11
What is the Supreme Court’s most famous chamber called?
1. A.Courtroom
2. B.The Great Hall
3. C.The Bench Room
4. D.The Marble Chamber
Answer: The Courtroom.
The Court’s most famous chamber is called the Courtroom.
Question 12
During what months does the Supreme Court usually hear oral arguments?
1. A.May through August
2. B.October through April
3. C.January through June
4. D.September through December
Answer: From October through April.
The Court usually hears oral arguments from October through April.
Question 13
Near the end of its term, the Supreme Court usually releases many opinions in which month?
1. A.August
2. B.October
3. C.June
4. D.March
Answer: June.
Many opinions are typically released near the end of the term in June.

Supreme Court of the United States Family Trivia

12 questions

These family Supreme Court of the United States trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.

Question 1
Which Supreme Court case established judicial review in 1803?
Answer: Marbury v. Madison
Marbury v. Madison, decided in 1803, established judicial review.
Question 2
In what year was Brown v. Board of Education decided?
1. A.1954
2. B.1963
3. C.1950
4. D.1971
Answer: 1954
Brown v. Board of Education was decided in 1954.
Question 3
Which Supreme Court case ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional?
Answer: Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education held that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
Question 4
Roe v. Wade was decided in which year?
1. A.1974
2. B.1969
3. C.1973
4. D.1971
Answer: 1973
Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973.
Question 5
What year goes with the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges?
1. A.2015
2. B.2000
3. C.2022
4. D.1974
Answer: 2015
Obergefell v. Hodges was decided in 2015.
Question 6
Obergefell v. Hodges recognized a constitutional right to what?
Answer: same-sex marriage
Obergefell v. Hodges recognized a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.
Question 7
Which year saw the decision in Miranda v. Arizona?
1. A.1971
2. B.1966
3. C.1963
4. D.1969
Answer: 1966
Miranda v. Arizona was decided in 1966.
Question 8
When police on TV start reading a familiar warning, those are often called what because of a Supreme Court case?
Answer: Miranda rights
Miranda v. Arizona led to the familiar police warning known is Miranda rights.
Question 9
Gideon v. Wainwright was decided in what year?
1. A.1966
2. B.1973
3. C.1963
4. D.1954
Answer: 1963
Gideon v. Wainwright was decided in 1963.
Question 10
Gideon v. Wainwright said that defendants who cannot afford a lawyer have what in felony cases?
Answer: right to counsel
Gideon v. Wainwright held that indigent criminal defendants have a right to counsel in felony cases.
Question 11
Tinker v. Des Moines reached the Supreme Court in which year?
1. A.1857
2. B.1969
3. C.1966
4. D.1971
Answer: 1969
Tinker v. Des Moines was decided in 1969.
Question 12
The students in Tinker v. Des Moines wore armbands to protest which war?
Answer: the Vietnam War
Tinker v. Des Moines involved student armbands protesting the Vietnam War.

Fun Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

13 questions

These fun Supreme Court of the United States trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.

Question 1
Which architect got the ultimate assignment of designing the Supreme Court Building?
1. A.John Russell Pope
2. B.Cass Gilbert designed the Supreme Court Building.
3. C.Daniel Burnham
4. D.Henry Bacon
Answer: Cass Gilbert designed the Supreme Court Building.
The Supreme Court Building was designed by architect Cass Gilbert.
Question 2
What four-word message is carved across the west front of the Supreme Court Building?
Answer: The inscription is “Equal Justice Under Law.”
The west front of the building bears the phrase “Equal Justice Under Law.”.
Question 3
If you walk around to the east front, what inscription greets you there?
Answer: The east front says “Justice the Guardian of Liberty.”
The phrase on the east front is “Justice the Guardian of Liberty.”.
Question 4
Before the Supreme Court got its own building, where did it meet?
1. A.It met in the U.S. Capitol.
2. B.The White House
3. C.Independence Hall
4. D.The Library of Congress
Answer: It met in the U.S. Capitol.
Before moving into its own building, the Court met in the U.S. Capitol.
Question 5
For many years inside the Capitol, which room served as the Supreme Court’s home base?
Answer: The Court occupied the Old Senate Chamber.
The Court spent many years in the Old Senate Chamber in the Capitol.
Question 6
True or false: The Supreme Court hears thousands of cases every term.?
Answer: False
The Court receives thousands of petitions but hears only a small number of cases each term.
Question 7
What dramatic feature do the justices pass through as they enter the bench together?
1. A.A side tunnel
2. B.Blue silk drapes
3. C.red velvet curtains
4. D.Bronze doors
Answer: They enter through red velvet curtains.
The justices enter the bench together through red velvet curtains in the courtroom.
Question 8
When the Marshal opens Court, what old-school cry rings out three times?
Answer: “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!”
The Marshal opens with “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!” when the justices take the bench.
Question 9
Which law enforcement unit is specifically assigned to the Supreme Court?
1. A.Court Security Rangers
2. B.Supreme Court Police
3. C.Capitol Police
4. D.U.S. Marshals Service
Answer: The Supreme Court Police.
The Court has its own police force, known is the Supreme Court Police.
Question 10
The Supreme Court cafeteria has a nickname that sounds like a legal joke. What is it?
Answer: It is nicknamed the “Lowest Court in the Land.”
The building’s cafeteria has long been nicknamed the “Lowest Court in the Land.”.
Question 11
How many marble columns line the Great Hall of the Supreme Court Building?
1. A.12
2. B.18
3. C.30
4. D.24 marble columns
Answer: The Great Hall is lined with 24 marble columns.
The building’s Great Hall features 24 marble columns.
Question 12
Look up in the courtroom and you’ll see a decorative band featuring whom or what?
Answer: A frieze showing historic lawgivers.
The courtroom has a frieze that depicts historic lawgivers.
Question 13
Name one biblical figure included among the historic lawgivers shown in the courtroom frieze.?
Answer: Moses appears in the courtroom frieze.
Among the figures in the courtroom frieze is Moses.

Funny Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

13 questions

These funny Supreme Court of the United States trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.

Question 1
Which justice pulled off the ultimate résumé flex by serving as both U.S. president and Chief Justice?
Answer: William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft is the only person to have served is both president and Chief Justice.
Question 2
A nervous lawyer began, “This is the first case I have ever argued.” Which Chief Justice coolly answered, “That’s all right”?
Answer: Harlan Fiske Stone
Chief Justice Harlan Fiske Stone famously replied, “That’s all right.”.
Question 3
What souvenir item does the Supreme Court keep at counsel table for arguing lawyers to use?
Answer: Quill pens
The Court keeps quill pens at counsel table, and lawyers often take them is souvenirs.
Question 4
Which justice blasted a ruling with the culinary-grade insult “pure applesauce”?
1. A.Potter Stewart
2. B.Antonin Scalia
3. C.Ruth Bader Ginsburg
4. D.Felix Frankfurter
Answer: Antonin Scalia
Justice Antonin Scalia was known for colorful dissents and once called a ruling “pure applesauce.”.
Question 5
Which justice has noted that oral arguments can wander into detailed talk about hot dogs, video games, or goldfish?
Answer: Elena Kagan
Justice Elena Kagan has said oral arguments can include surprisingly specific questions on all sorts of topics, including hot dogs, video games, and goldfish.
Question 6
When the courtroom crier says “Oyez,” what does that Anglo-French word mean in plain English?
1. A.Order now
2. B.Be seated
3. C.hear ye
4. D.All rise
Answer: Hear ye
The crier’s “Oyez” comes from an Anglo-French word meaning “hear ye.”.
Question 7
Whose office sign basically pre-rejected everyone with the words “Cert. denied.”?
Answer: Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. kept a famous sign in his office reading “Cert. denied.”.
Question 8
Which justice made history as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court?
Answer: Sandra Day O’Connor
Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
Question 9
In what year did Sandra Day O’Connor join the Supreme Court?
Answer: 1981
Sandra Day O’Connor joined the Court in 1981.
Question 10
Which pair of justices became famous for being close friends despite major ideological differences?
Answer: Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia
Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia were known for a warm friendship despite deep disagreements on the law.
Question 11
What was the title of the opera inspired by Justices Scalia and Ginsburg?
Answer: Scalia/Ginsburg
An opera titled “Scalia/Ginsburg” was inspired by Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Question 12
Which Supreme Court justice had already logged time as an NFL player before joining the bench?
Answer: Byron White
Justice Byron White had previously been a National Football League player.
Question 13
Who is remembered for the line “I know it when I see it” from a 1964 obscenity case?
1. A.Louis Brandeis
2. B.Potter Stewart
3. C.Antonin Scalia
4. D.Harlan Fiske Stone
Answer: Potter Stewart
Justice Potter Stewart is widely remembered for saying “I know it when I see it.”.

Hard Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

14 questions

These hard Supreme Court of the United States trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.

Question 1
Which statute initially fixed the Supreme Court at six justices?
1. A.The Circuit Judges Act of 1869
2. B.The Judiciary Act of 1801
3. C.The Judiciary Act of 1789.
4. D.The Judicial Circuits Act of 1866
Answer: The Judiciary Act of 1789.
The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal judiciary and set the Supreme Court at six justices.
Question 2
In what year did Congress first raise the Supreme Court’s membership from six to seven?
1. A.1789
2. B.1837
3. C.1863
4. D.1807
Answer: 1807.
Congress increased the Court’s size to seven justices in 1807.
Question 3
The Supreme Court reached nine justices for the first time in which year?
1. A.1869
2. B.1837
3. C.1807
4. D.1863
Answer: 1837.
Congress changed the Court’s size to nine in 1837, before later altering it again.
Question 4
During the Civil War era, Congress expanded the Court to ten justices in what year?
1. A.1863
2. B.1837
3. C.1866
4. D.1869
Answer: 1863.
The Court’s size was increased to ten justices in 1863.
Question 5
Which law sought to shrink the Supreme Court to seven seats by attrition rather than immediate removal?
1. A.1868
2. B.1866
3. C.1862
4. D.1864
Answer: The Judicial Circuits Act of 1866.
The Judicial Circuits Act of 1866 aimed to reduce the Court to seven seats through attrition.
Question 6
What year is attached to the law that fixed the Supreme Court at its modern total of nine justices?
1. A.1869
2. B.1837
3. C.1863
4. D.1866
Answer: 1869.
The Circuit Judges Act of 1869 fixed the Supreme Court at nine justices.
Question 7
Who became the first Supreme Court nominee rejected by the Senate for Chief Justice, in 1795?
1. A.Merrick Garland
2. B.John Rutledge
3. C.John Marshall
4. D.Robert Bork
Answer: John Rutledge.
John Rutledge was rejected by the Senate in 1795, making him the first rejected nominee for Chief Justice.
Question 8
Which justice, appointed in 1916, became the first Jewish member of the Supreme Court?
1. A.Louis Brandeis
2. B.Thurgood Marshall
3. C.John Rutledge
4. D.John Marshall
Answer: Louis Brandeis.
Louis Brandeis became the first Jewish justice in 1916.
Question 9
Name the justice who, in 1967, became the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court.?
1. A.Robert Bork
2. B.Thurgood Marshall
3. C.Louis Brandeis
4. D.John Marshall
Answer: Thurgood Marshall.
Thurgood Marshall joined the Court in 1967 is its first African American justice.
Question 10
Which Chief Justice’s tenure stretched from 1801 to 1835?
1. A.John Rutledge
2. B.Thurgood Marshall
3. C.Louis Brandeis
4. D.John Marshall
Answer: John Marshall.
John Marshall served is Chief Justice from 1801 until 1835.
Question 11
Under Article III, what kind of Supreme Court authority applies in cases affecting ambassadors and disputes involving states?
1. A.Original jurisdiction
2. B.Appellate jurisdiction
3. C.Advisory jurisdiction
4. D.Concurrent jurisdiction
Answer: Original jurisdiction.
Article III gives the Court original jurisdiction in cases affecting ambassadors and certain disputes involving states.
Question 12
Which 1869 decision confirmed that Congress may make exceptions to the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction?
1. A.West Coast Hotel v. Parrish
2. B.Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
3. C.Marbury v. Madison
4. D.Ex parte McCardle
Answer: Ex parte McCardle.
Ex parte McCardle held in 1869 that Congress could make exceptions to the Court’s appellate jurisdiction.
Question 13
The famous phrase “the switch in time” is tied to West Coast Hotel v. Parrish in what year?
1. A.2022
2. B.1937
3. C.1916
4. D.1869
Answer: 1937.
The “switch in time” associated with West Coast Hotel v. Parrish occurred in 1937.
Question 14
Who proposed adding justices to the Supreme Court in 1937?
1. A.Merrick Garland
2. B.Franklin D. Roosevelt.
3. C.John Marshall
4. D.Robert Bork
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt advanced the Court-packing proposal in 1937.

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Easy Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

What is the Supreme Court in the federal judiciary of the United States?

In what city does the Supreme Court meet?

How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

What is the title of the one justice who leads the Supreme Court?

Which part of the U.S. Constitution established the Supreme Court?

What year did the Supreme Court hold its first session?

Who was the first Chief Justice of the United States?

Who became Chief Justice in 2005?

The Supreme Court Building opened in what year?

What street name appears in the Supreme Court’s address, 1 First Street NE?

What is the Supreme Court’s most famous chamber called?

During what months does the Supreme Court usually hear oral arguments?

Near the end of its term, the Supreme Court usually releases many opinions in which month?

Supreme Court of the United States Family Trivia

Which Supreme Court case established judicial review in 1803?

In what year was Brown v. Board of Education decided?

Which Supreme Court case ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional?

Roe v. Wade was decided in which year?

What year goes with the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges?

Obergefell v. Hodges recognized a constitutional right to what?

Which year saw the decision in Miranda v. Arizona?

When police on TV start reading a familiar warning, those are often called what because of a Supreme Court case?

Gideon v. Wainwright was decided in what year?

Gideon v. Wainwright said that defendants who cannot afford a lawyer have what in felony cases?

Tinker v. Des Moines reached the Supreme Court in which year?

The students in Tinker v. Des Moines wore armbands to protest which war?

Fun Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

Which architect got the ultimate assignment of designing the Supreme Court Building?

What four-word message is carved across the west front of the Supreme Court Building?

If you walk around to the east front, what inscription greets you there?

Before the Supreme Court got its own building, where did it meet?

For many years inside the Capitol, which room served as the Supreme Court’s home base?

True or false: The Supreme Court hears thousands of cases every term.?

What dramatic feature do the justices pass through as they enter the bench together?

When the Marshal opens Court, what old-school cry rings out three times?

Which law enforcement unit is specifically assigned to the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court cafeteria has a nickname that sounds like a legal joke. What is it?

How many marble columns line the Great Hall of the Supreme Court Building?

Look up in the courtroom and you’ll see a decorative band featuring whom or what?

Name one biblical figure included among the historic lawgivers shown in the courtroom frieze.?

Funny Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

Which justice pulled off the ultimate résumé flex by serving as both U.S. president and Chief Justice?

A nervous lawyer began, “This is the first case I have ever argued.” Which Chief Justice coolly answered, “That’s all right”?

What souvenir item does the Supreme Court keep at counsel table for arguing lawyers to use?

Which justice blasted a ruling with the culinary-grade insult “pure applesauce”?

Which justice has noted that oral arguments can wander into detailed talk about hot dogs, video games, or goldfish?

When the courtroom crier says “Oyez,” what does that Anglo-French word mean in plain English?

Whose office sign basically pre-rejected everyone with the words “Cert. denied.”?

Which justice made history as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court?

In what year did Sandra Day O’Connor join the Supreme Court?

Which pair of justices became famous for being close friends despite major ideological differences?

What was the title of the opera inspired by Justices Scalia and Ginsburg?

Which Supreme Court justice had already logged time as an NFL player before joining the bench?

Who is remembered for the line “I know it when I see it” from a 1964 obscenity case?

Hard Supreme Court of the United States Trivia

Which statute initially fixed the Supreme Court at six justices?

In what year did Congress first raise the Supreme Court’s membership from six to seven?

The Supreme Court reached nine justices for the first time in which year?

During the Civil War era, Congress expanded the Court to ten justices in what year?

Which law sought to shrink the Supreme Court to seven seats by attrition rather than immediate removal?

What year is attached to the law that fixed the Supreme Court at its modern total of nine justices?

Who became the first Supreme Court nominee rejected by the Senate for Chief Justice, in 1795?

Which justice, appointed in 1916, became the first Jewish member of the Supreme Court?

Name the justice who, in 1967, became the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court.?

Which Chief Justice’s tenure stretched from 1801 to 1835?

Under Article III, what kind of Supreme Court authority applies in cases affecting ambassadors and disputes involving states?

Which 1869 decision confirmed that Congress may make exceptions to the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction?

The famous phrase “the switch in time” is tied to West Coast Hotel v. Parrish in what year?

Who proposed adding justices to the Supreme Court in 1937?

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