American Decades

Important Events in Law and Justice, 1940–1949

On January 15, the Senate approves Frank Murphy's appointment to the Supreme Court.
On June 28, the Alien Registration Act (Smith Act) is passed. This law makes it unlawful for any individual to call for the overthrow of any government in the United States by force. It also makes it unlawful to join or found any group which teaches such a doctrine.

On January 31, Justice James Clark McReynolds retires from the Supreme Court after serving for twenty-six years.
On June 12, Senator James F. Byrnes is nominated and confirmed on the same day to an appointment as an associate justice of the Supreme Court.
On June 27, Justice Harlan Fiske Stone is confirmed by the Senate to replace Charles Evans Hughes as chief justice upon Hughes's retirement.
On July 1, Chief Justice Hughes retires after serving as chief justice for eleven years.
On July 11, Robert...

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