On this day in history, October 15, 1991, the Senate confirmed Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court by a narrow vote following a contentious confirmation hearing.
During Clarence Thomas’ Senate confirmation hearings for the U.S. Supreme Court, Anita Hill accused him of sexual harassment. Hill, who had worked with Thomas at the U.S. Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, alleging that Thomas had made inappropriate sexual comments and advances toward her during their time as colleagues.
Her testimony led to intense public scrutiny and national debate, but despite the allegations, Thomas was ultimately confirmed to the Supreme Court by a narrow vote of 52 to 48 on October 15, 1991.
The vacancy arose after Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, announced his retirement in July 1991 after serving for 34 years. President George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, nominated Thomas, a 43-year-old African American judge noted for his conservative views, to take Marshall’s seat.
