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Earl Warren

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Earl Warren was one of the most important leaders in American history.

EarlWarren
EarlWarren

He was a lawyer and a politician who held two very high jobs. First, he served as the 30th governor of California from 1943 to 1953. Later, he became the 14th chief justice of the United States.

Earl Warren Portrait, half figure, seated, facing front, as Governor
Earl Warren Portrait, half figure, seated, facing front, as Governor

As chief justice, he led the Supreme Court during a time of great change. Many people call this time a "constitutional revolution." This means the Court made many new decisions about how the law works for everyone.

Warren Court (1953 - 1954)
Warren Court (1953 - 1954)

Warren's career followed many steps from his early life to his high offices. He was born in Los Angeles in 1891 to Matt and Crystal Warren.

Earl Warren 1918
Earl Warren 1918

After he finished law school at UC Berkeley, he worked in Oakland. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a first lieutenant.

Earl Warren 1918
Earl Warren 1918

In 1925, he became the district attorney for Alameda County. He won many elections by fighting against corruption in the government. He even served as the attorney general of California starting in 1938.

Oakland Tribune 12 January 1925 Front Page
Oakland Tribune 12 January 1925 Front Page

During his time as a leader, Warren made some very difficult choices. As attorney general, he supported the removal of over 100,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.

Later, as governor, he led California through a period of huge growth. He was the only person to be elected governor of California for three terms in a row.

Earl Warren 1944
Earl Warren 1944

In 1952, he tried to run for president, but the Republican Party chose Dwight D. Eisenhower instead. After Eisenhower won, he appointed Warren to lead the Supreme Court in 1953.

As chief justice, Warren wrote many famous decisions that changed American life.

EarlWarren
EarlWarren

In the 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education, the Court ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. This helped end the unfair practice of keeping people apart based on race.

Warren Court (1953 - 1954)
Warren Court (1953 - 1954)

In 1966, the Miranda v. Arizona case required police to tell people their rights.

EarlWarren
EarlWarren

Other cases, like Loving v. Virginia in 1967, struck down laws that stopped people of different races from marrying. He also helped ensure that all voting districts had roughly equal populations. These rulings changed how the government treats its citizens every day.

Warren's work touched many parts of life that people still talk about today. He even led the Warren Commission to investigate the 1963 death of President John F. Kennedy.

He retired in 1968 and was succeeded by Warren E. Burger in 1969.

Chief Justice Earl Warren (18974663660)
Chief Justice Earl Warren (18974663660)

People have many different opinions about his many rulings. Some people supported his ideas, while others criticized them. However, very few of his major decisions have ever been overturned. He remains a giant figure in the story of American law and leadership.

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🖼️ Images & Media (20)
File:Earl Warren 1918.jpg
Earl Warren 1918.jpg
File:Rene C. Davidson Courthouse.jpg
Rene C. Davidson Courthouse.jpg
File:Oakland Tribune 12 January 1925 Front Page.jpg
Oakland Tribune 12 January 1925 Front Page.jpg
File:Earl Warren Primary Ad 1926 Edit.jpg
Earl Warren Primary Ad 1926 Edit.jpg
File:Earl Warren 1944.jpg
Earl Warren 1944.jpg
File:Woodland, California. Evacuees of Japanese ancestry are boarding a special train for Merced Assembl . . . - NARA - 537818.jpg
Woodland, California. Evacuees of...
File:Granada Relocation Center, Amache, Colorado. A general all over view of a section of the emergency . . . - NARA - 539071.jpg
Granada Relocation Center, Amache,...
File:Earl Warren Portrait, half figure, seated, facing front, as Governor.jpg
Earl Warren Portrait, half figure,...
File:Earl Warren with young miner.jpg
Earl Warren with young miner.jpg
File:EarlWarren.jpg
EarlWarren.jpg
File:Warren Court (1953 - 1954).png
Warren Court (1953 - 1954).png
File:President & First Lady Kennedy with Chief Justice Earl Warren & Mrs. Warren.jpg
President & First Lady Kennedy with Chief...

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