“Harlan Bible” Day – March 12 (1906)

It was on this date – March 12th – in 1906 that then-senior Justice John Marshall Harlan (1833-1911) donated a Bible to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) for the purpose of offering his colleagues an opportunity to sign the Good Book’s flyleaf pages.  Down through the years, the “Harlan Bible” – maintained by the Supreme Court’s Curator – has been presented to each justice shortly after taking the oath of office and all have elected to sign.  Justice Samuel Alito, the latest signatory, has acknowledged what an awesome experience it was for him to sign alongside every justice without fail for over 100 years.  For those who would say that the Bible is irrelevant to America, I would ask, can you imagine any other book or writing that would evoke such unanimous approbation?

Retired Judges of America is replicating this venerable tradition in other courts throughout America.  If you would like to help with the expenses associated with this noble undertaking, go to the donation page and become a friend of Retired Judges of America.  After all, there are no innocent bystanders; only those guilty of bystanding!