October 19

John Jay was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on the 19th in 1789. His name has come down to us as the name of one of the brightest of the bright lights of the Founding Fathers. Columbia University has a very selective undergraduate merit scholarship, the winners of which are referred to as John Jay Scholars. Yes, time has been very kind to John Jay. Not long after he was sworn in as Chief Justice, a graffito appeared near his home, which read "Damn John Jay. Damn everyone that won't damn John Jay. Damn everyone that won't put up the lights in the windows and sit up all nights damning John Jay."