October 23: Clarence Thomas Joins the Supreme Court (1991)
Prayer Idea
Pray for Justice Thomas and his work on the Supreme Court.
History Note
Clarence Thomas was born in the Pinpoint Community near Savannah, Georgia, on June 23, 1948. His father abandoned his family and, as a child, Thomas enjoyed a close relationship with his grandfather.
Thomas considered becoming a Catholic priest before deciding to study law. He attended College of the Holy Cross and Yale Law School.
He worked in Missouri as an assistant attorney general and in private practice and was a legislative assistant to Missouri Senator John C. Danforth. Thomas later worked for the U.S. Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
President George H. W. Bush appointed him to be a federal judge in 1990 and then nominated him to the Supreme Court in 1991. The Senate confirmed him 52-48.
Clarence Thomas had one son with his first wife. He and his second wife took in a great-nephew. The Thomases enjoyed traveling around the U.S. in a motorcoach for many years.
This 1991 photo shows Clarence Thomas during hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Photo by Rob Crandall / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
In this 2009 video, Clarence Thomas talks about being recognized in public and how he enjoys meeting everyday Americans.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
