Justice Kennedy and June 26

June 25th, 2017

On the Supreme Court’s calendar, June 26 holds a special significance for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy–especially when that day concludes the Supreme Court’s term.

  • June 26, 1987 – On the final day of the October 1986 term, Justice Louis Powell announced his retirement, effective immediately. This announcement came as a surprise to everyone, including President Reagan. After Judge Bork’s nomination was voted down, and Judge Ginsburg withdrew before he was formally nominated, Judge Kennedy was confirmed as the newest Associate Justice.
  • June 26, 2003 – On the final day of the October 2002 term, Justice Kennedy issued the majority decision in Lawrence v. Texas, invaliding Texas’s criminal prohibition on homosexual sodomy.
  • June 26, 2013 – On the final day of the October 2012 term, Justice Kennedy issued the majority decision in United States v. Windsor, invalidating the Defense of Marriage Act.
  • June 26, 2015 – On the penultimate day of the October 2014 term, Justice Kennedy issued the majority decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, invalidating the marriage laws of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.

What will happen on June 26, 2017–thirty years to the date of Justice Powell’s surprise retirement?