Today In History- September 21

A popular jurist and politician from Arizona, on September 21, 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed the first female associate Supreme Court Justice in Washington D.C., under the presidency of Ronald Reagan.  She served on the Supreme Court until 2006, where she maintained a reputation as a strict constructionist, with fairly moderate political views.  She had a very systematic approach to jurisprudence, making her a decisive swing vote in difficult court decisions.  Upon her retirement from this government role, she was appointed Chancellor at the College of William and Mary in Virginia.