The U.S. Supreme Court hands down its decision on Sanford v. Dred Scott, a case that intensified national divisions over the issue of slavery. In 1834, Dred Scott, a slave, had been taken to Illinois, a free state, and then Wisconsin territory, where the Missouri Compromise of 1820 prohibited slavery
The most important issue of the case was Dred Scott's status: was he a slave or was he a free man? Dred Scott had been born into slavery, but after moving with his master to Wisconsin Territory, where slavery was not permitted, he effectively had the status of a free man and was thus able to get married. However, Scott did not petition for his freedom, and remained with his master. As his master moved around a lot from place to place, between slave state and free, Scott found himself in the absurd position of being free in one state, but a slave in another. It was important, then, for Scott to establish his precise legal status once and for all.
It is the right distance from the Sun, it is protected from harmful solar radiation by its magnetic field, it is kept warm by an insulating atmosphere, and it has the right chemical ingredients for life, including water and carbon.
