An Architectural Mystery Embedded in the US Supreme Court

High above the marble steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, four simple words are carved in stone: Equal Justice Under Law. They’ve come to embody America’s highest legal ideal — though their origin remains a mystery. This week, former Justice Anthony Kennedy reflected on that inscription’s history and meaning, tracing it back to architect Cass Gilbert and a team of Italian stonecarvers. As the Court’s facade undergoes restoration, so too does the reminder that justice, like the building itself, must be constantly renewed.