Say cheese: High court makes rare appearance before cameras
From Bill Mears
CNN
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The nine justices talked quietly together while they posed for cameras Friday.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The business of the Supreme Court is done almost entirely out of view of cameras, but the nine justices made a rare exception Friday, posing for their first group photographs in nine years.
The justices gathered together in their judicial robes for formal and informal shots with still and video cameras. They have traditionally been camera shy, with cameras rarely allowed anywhere inside the Supreme Court building, including the courtroom. The justices also rarely grant television interviews, and a few even refuse to allow video cameras at speeches they give.
The 2003 photo marks the first time the justices posed for an official group photograph without a change in its membership. The last time they gathered for such an occasion was 1994, when Justice Stephen Breyer joined the court. As group, these nine justices have been together for the longest period without a change since a group in the 1820s.
Justices have posed for photographs for nearly 140 years, the first time during the leadership of Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, from 1865-67.
More historical information is at www.supremecourthistory.org.
