Fast Facts: U.S. Supreme Court

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.