John Marshall was born in Virginia in 1755. After the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, he joined the Continental Army, fighting in several battles.

Marshall favored the ratification of the United States Constitution, and he played a major role in Virginia's ratification. Marshall became a member of the Federalist Party.

At the request of President Adams, John Marshall traveled to France in 1797 to help bring an end to attacks on American ships. In what became known as the "XYZ Affair," the government of France refused to open negotiations unless the United States agreed to pay bribes, this resulted in the US & France fighting in the Quasi War.

After his time as an ambassador for President Adams ended, Marshall won a seat in the United States House of Representatives and emerged as a leader of the Federalist Party in Congress. At the end of Adam's presidency, Marshall served briefly in President Adam's Cabinet as Secretary of State.

In 1801, after Adams lost the Presidential Election of 1800, he appointed John Marshall to the United States Supreme Court. Marshall was one of the "Midnight Judges" that Adams appointed at the last minute of his Presidency and Marshall would go on to become Chief Justice.

He served as Chief Justice over 34 years. Many important cases were decided while he was Chief Justice.

MCCULLOCH V. MARYLAND 1819

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court ruled that states could not prevent the federal government from establishing national banks within their borders. The case rejected the states rights argument and ruled that the federal government had authority to exercise its power.

GIBBONS V. OGDEN 1824

In another case concerning states rights, the Supreme Court ruled in Gibbons v. Ogden that commerce (buying & selling) between states had to follow federal laws. The case gave more power to Congress by giving it authority over states in commerce that crossed state lines.

In 1835, he traveled to Philadelphia for medical care where he died at the age of 79.

He was appointed by John Adams, and he served until Andrew Jackson's presidency. While he was Chief Justice, there were five different Presidents.

After his death, the Liberty Bell was rung. Some say that is when it was cracked, never to be rung again.