America 250 | CA 175 

Under Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero's civic learning initiative, the judicial branch will leverage both commemorations to strengthen court outreach and deepen the public's understanding of the judiciary's work.  

1. Honoring 175 Years of Jurisprudence

The 175th anniversary serves as a bridge between California’s legal origins and its future.
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2. Strengthening the "Power of Democracy" through Education

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• Civic Learning: The Power of Democracy initiative is providing assistance to any court interested in connecting with a local school. 

• Constitutional Roots: The branch honors the 1849 Constitutional Convention in Monterey, where Article VI was drafted to establish the judicial branch with a Chief Justice and two associate justices. 

• "The First Session": commemoration of the California Supreme Court's first session, which convened in 1850, shortly after the state's admission to the Union. California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850.
   

3. A Vision for a "More Perfect Union."

The anniversary is not just about the past; it is a catalyst for modernizing the delivery of justice for the next 250 years and beyond. 
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Courts that connect with POD will have access to a menu of activities, ranging from classroom visits to creative competitions.
 

• The 250-Student Challenge: a court commits to visit 250 students for an interactive discussion on the Bill of Rights, the role of the judiciary, and the rule of law.

• "250 Words for Liberty" Oratory Contest: A district-wide competition where students reflect on landmark cases that have shaped California’s history. 

• Steps of Justice: the court aims to host a total of 250 students for courthouse visits. Each group will take a photo on the steps of the court until they reach 250 students.