Supreme Court of the United States

Historical eventJuly 51984

Supreme Court of the United States

The United States Supreme Court gives its United States v. Leon decision providing a good-faith exception from the Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule against use of evidence obtained through defective warrants in criminal trials.

Everything on July 5Original source

In context

When
Thursday, July 5 198442 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
20th century · 1980s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 1984.

What came beforeAI-assisted

The Constitution established the Supreme Court in Article III (1787), though it did not specify the Court's size or structure. Congress created the Court's initial framework through the Judiciary Act of 1789, establishing six justices and defining its jurisdiction.

Catalyst / how it startedAI-assisted

The Supreme Court asserted its power of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison (1803), establishing that courts could invalidate laws conflicting with the Constitution. This landmark decision transformed the Court from a minor institution into a co-equal branch of government.

Who was involvedAI-assisted

Chief Justice John Marshall authored the Marbury v. Madison decision that defined judicial review. The case involved William Marbury, who sought a commission as a justice of the peace, and Secretary of State James Madison.

TimelineAI-assisted

1787: Constitution established the Supreme Court. 1789: Judiciary Act of 1789 created the Court's structure with six justices. 1803: Marbury v. Madison asserted judicial review power.

What happened

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that turn on questions of U.S. constitutional or federal law. It also has original jurisdiction over a narrow range of cases, specifically "all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party". In 1803,

July 5 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1984Supreme Court of the United States
  2. 2004Direct election
  3. 2006United Nations Security Council
  4. 2006North Korea
  5. 2009Staffordshire Hoard
  6. 2009July 2009 Ürümqi riots
  7. 2012The Shard
  8. 2016Juno (spacecraft)
  9. 2022Sajid Javid
  10. 2023Ariane 5
  11. 2024Keir Starmer

Also in 1984

  • March 14Gerry AdamsGerry Adams, leader of Sinn Féin, was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt by Ulster Freedom Fighters in central Belfast, Northe…
  • September 14Joseph KittingerJoe Kittinger becomes the first person to fly a gas balloon alone across the Atlantic Ocean.
  • September 5STS-41-DSTS-41-D: The Space Shuttle Discovery lands after its maiden voyage.
  • September 5Western AustraliaWestern Australia becomes the last Australian state to abolish capital punishment.
  • October 20Sinking of the Spanish trawler SoniaThe Spanish trawler Sonia sank in British waters after a five-hour chase by the Irish Naval Service patrol vessel Aisling, during which a…
  • November 27Brussels Agreement (1984)Under the Brussels Agreement signed between the governments of the United Kingdom and Spain, the former agrees to enter into discussions…
  • December 10United Nations General AssemblyUnited Nations General Assembly recognizes the Convention against Torture.
  • June 8HomosexualityHomosexuality is decriminalized in the Australian state of New South Wales.

Everything we record for 1984 →

Sources

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“Supreme Court of the United States”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-1984-july-5, accessed October 25, 2026.

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Questions about this entry

When did Supreme Court of the United States happen?

July 5 1984 — 42 years ago, on a Thursday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints. Panels marked AI-assisted were filled where the sources left a heading empty.

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Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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