3 important facts about thomas jefferson

On February 24, , the Supreme Court of the United States issued its unanimous ruling in Marbury v. Madison, one of the most important Supreme Court cases in early American history. This ruling established for the first time the principle that the Supreme Court can declare an act of Congress void if it is inconsistent with the Constitution. This landmark case established the basis for judicial review of congressional and executive actions on the grounds of their constitutionality.

Thomas Jefferson's election as President in came after a bitter partisan struggle between Federalists and Republicans. Republicans won both the presidency and a majority in Congress. Before leaving early in , the Federalist Congress passed a new Judiciary Act that created new judgeships, which enabled outgoing President John Adams to appoint numerous additional Federalists to the judiciary. On his last day in office, Adams worked late into the nig

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You probably know Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence. You might know he was the author of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom that formed the basis of freedom of religion in the First Amendment, that he founded the University of Virginia, or served as the third president. You might be surprised to know these additional facts about Jefferson.

1. He was a paleontologist before that science had a formal name.

Mastodon Mandible

Jefferson collected fossils and was fascinated by the animals that once roamed North America, especially the mammoth. He even had the bones of a mastodon (now displayed in the Monticello Entrance Hall) sent to him during his residence in the President's House in Washington, DC.

2. He was an architect.

Detail of Jefferson's Floor Plan for Monticello

Aside from designing his main home, Monticello, and "vacation" home, Poplar Forest, Jefferson designed the University of Virginia and the Virginia State Capitol in R

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