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Minimum Competence · Oct 5, 2026 · 7m

This Day in Legal History: Earl Warren Takes the Center Chair

On October 5, 1953, which was the first Monday in October and the opening day of the Supreme Court’s term, Earl Warren was sworn in as the 14th Chief Justice of the United States. Chief Justice Fred Vinson had died of a heart attack less than a month earlier. To make sure the Court opened its term with a full bench, President Eisenhower gave Warren, then governor of California, a recess appointment. Eisenhower and Vice President Nixon attended the ceremony. The Senate confirmed Warren the following March, and he took the oath…