
<a href="https://reason.com/volokh/2025/08/02/today-in-supreme-court-history-august-2-1923-10/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
On August 2, 1923, Calvin Coolidge was inaugurated as the President of the United States, but this wasn’t just another day in D.C. His appointment of Justice Harlan Fiske Stone to the Supreme Court would mark a significant turning point in American legal history. It’s like Coolidge placed a poker chip on the table and said, “Let’s see where this goes.” Talk about a political gamble!
Calvin Coolidge, known for his calm demeanor (or as some might say, his “cool” factor), didn’t just maintain a status quo but gave us a twist in the usual presidential narrative. His future decisions shaped the court’s dynamic for years to come. So, here’s a thought: What would happen if all presidents embraced a little more Coolidge in their leadership style? A nation could have a little more zen and a lot less drama.
It’s wild to think how a president who preferred a lower profile could end up making waves in the Supreme Court. It’s akin to finding out that the quiet kid in class aced the final exam while everyone else was fumbling with their pencils. Perhaps it reminds us that history often sneaks up on us in the most unexpected ways. What do you think? Do we undervalue the “quiet” leaders in our lives?
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