Rehnquist In The Court Here are some key dates in William H. Rehnquist's tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Jan. 7, 1972 Takes seat on Supreme Court after nomination by President Nixon. Confirmed by Senate, 68-26.

Jan. 22, 1973 One of two dissenters in Roe v. Wade, which overturned individual states' laws against abortion and recognized the practice as a constitutional right.

December 1981 Hospitalized for a week for withdrawal from a prescription drug he was taking for back pain.

Sept. 26, 1986 Sworn in as chief justice after President Reagan names him to replace retiring Warren Burger; confirmed by Senate in 65-33 vote.

June 29, 1988 Writes majority opinion upholding Independent Counsel Act, which was passed in post-Watergate era to help prevent abuses in the executive branch.

April 26, 1995 Writes majority opinion striking down a federal law mandating a "gun-free zone" around public schools, in a landmark decision preserving states' rights.

January 1999 Presides over President Clinton's impeachment trial in the Senate that eventually acquits him. Rehnquist's court had ruled in May 1997 that Paula Jones could sue Clinton for sexual harassment.

Dec. 12, 2000 Joins four other Republican-nominated justices in Bush v. Gore ruling that stops presidential ballot recounts in Florida, making Republican George W. Bush the winner.

June 27, 2002 Writes majority opinion declaring that an Ohio taxpayer-funded voucher program was not a violation of the separation of church and state; 96 percent of the students using vouchers in that case attended religious schools.

Oct. 1, 2004 Turns 80 to become the second-oldest chief justice. Only Roger Taney, who presided in the mid-1800s until his death at 87, served longer.

Oct. 25, 2004 Discloses he has thyroid cancer, prompting speculation about an imminent retirement one week before the presidential election.

Jan. 20, 2005 Emerges from months of seclusion to swear in President Bush.

March 21, 2005 Defying expectations, returns to bench after five-month absence.

Sept. 3, 2005 Dies of thyroid cancer at the age of 80.

Credits: The Associated Press