Video: 'Sandra Day O’Connor: her milestones and legacy'

(Friday, September 25, 1981, a few minutes past 2:00 p.m. EDT) — Sandra Day O’Connor took her seat today as the 102nd Justice and the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.

President Ronald Reagan, who fulfilled a campaign promise to name a woman to the Court by nominating the 51-year-old Arizona judge, attended the brief ceremony in the courtroom.

The ceremony, formally known as an investiture, lasted barely 10 minutes. The courtroom was filled well beyond its 400-seat capacity with Judge O’Connor’s family and friends and with Government officials, including a number of Senators. The Senate confirmed Judge O’Connor on Tuesday by a vote of 99 to 0.

Potter Stewart, whose retirement from the Court in July paved the way for today’s event, watched from a seat at the side of the courtroom.

The Chief Justice administered the oath of office, which is identical with that taken by all Federal officials.