Thursday, March 26 was the birthday of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor—the first female Supreme Court justice. She was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and served until her retirement in 2006. Justice O'Connor also achieved another "first" prior to her appointment to the Court: she was an assistant attorney general and then a state senator in Arizona, and rose to the position of majority leader—the first woman in the United States to occupy such a position, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

"Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide."

Read Interpretations on the Interactive Constitution >

Read > the roundup of this week's articles on The Battle for the Constitution—a partnership with The Atlantic that explores constitutional debates in American life.

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling our congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” 

Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected].