Since 1917, the U.S. Supreme Court has convened on the first Monday in October. The session lasts until the following summer.
During that period they hear and rule on many cases-some that make headlines and some that only those involved will ever hear about. But all are important.
Today at 10 a.m., the justices will file into the court and the marshal will announce, "The Honorable, the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court!"
It's an impressive spectacle.
Over the years, the Supreme Court has played an ever-increasing role in our lives. Their decisions affect each of us and generations to come.
This session will be no different. Among the key cases the nine justices will consider are whether the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects the rights of gay and transgender Americans, whether President Donald Trump can rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, whether states can require doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges, whether states can exclude religious schools from government scholarships and and whether a New York City law restricting the transport of firearms is constitutional.
We will be keeping a close eye on what develops as the term progresses.