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Some facts and figures on the Supreme Court:
— The current court had been the longest-serving nine-justice lineup since 1823, when Republican James Monroe was president.
— There have been 145 Supreme Court nominees. Of those, 29 have failed to be confirmed. In the 20th century, only seven have failed.
— Republican presidents have appointed nine Democratic justices, Democratic presidents have appointed three Republicans.
Supreme Court firsts:
— Roger B. Taney — first Roman Catholic justice, appointed 1835.
— Louis D. Brandeis — first Jewish justice, appointed 1916.
— Thurgood Marshall— first black justice, appointed 1967.
— Sandra Day O’Connor — first female justice, appointed 1981.
— Antonin Scalia — first Italian-American justice, appointed 1986.