On January 31, 1801, John Marshall (1755-1835) received his commission as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Senate having given its “advice and consent” four days earlier.

As a lame duck appointment by a controversial administration, Marshall began under a cloud of hostility. But his landmark decisions earned new dignity for the Supreme Court and injected new energy to the federal government in defining its role vis-à-vis state authority.

His 34 years as chief justice (the longest of any) far exceeded the average 16-year tenure of those associate justices he joined on the bench.

– Hon. Ronald A. Sarasin, President, United States Capitol Historical Society

After the fall of Baghdad in April 2003, the U.S. military distributed decks of cards to soldiers stationed in Iraq. The 55-card decks – all face cards – were designed to help identify the country’s “most wanted.” Saddam Hussein’s photo adorned the Ace of Spades.

Nearly half the deck surrendered by the end of May, while Hussein continued to elude capture. The intense Operation Red Dawn culminated with the discovery of Hussein under a farmhouse near his hometown, Tikrit. President George W. Bush soon proclaimed to the world, “In the history of Iraq, a dark and painful era is over.”

– Adam Croglia, Story Partners

When the Second Continental Congress convened in 1775, the Revolutionary War was underway, with American soldiers disorganized, outnumbered and outgunned.

Anticipating a need for foreign assistance, the Congress created the Committee of Secret Correspondence. The Committee, charged with gauging European sympathy for American independence, was the fledgling country’s first foray into diplomatic relations and intelligence gathering – a precursor to today’s Department of State and CIA.

Founding member Benjamin Franklin’s connections and charm made him the perfect leader. Ultimately successful in procuring covert French aid, the Committee proved Franklin’s now-famous words true: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

– Kathy Jeavons, Senior Vice President, Story Partners

Elections are the cornerstone of a democracy, giving citizens an important voice in our future. In 1864, the Civil War’s fourth year, President Lincoln won 55 percent of the vote – with 212 electoral votes to Democratic challenger George B. McCellan’s 21.

But it’s perhaps most notable that the election was held at all. Before that, no country had ever held elections during a military emergency.

Lincoln himself said, “We cannot have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us.”

– Kent Knutson, Vice President of Government Relations, The Home Depot; Board of Trustees, Ford’s Theatre