Ketanji Brown Jackson has been confirmed as the first black woman to sit on the US Supreme Court in its 233-year history.

The judge secured her place following a 53-47 vote in the US Senate, after a deadlock from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Judge Jackson, 51, will also be the first former public defender to sit on the court and the third black judge to sit.

The US Supreme Court has only had two black justices – both of which have been men – Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas.

The African-American federal appellate judge was nominated by US President Joe Biden in February, to replace liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, who is due to retire at the end of his term.

Before she joins the bench, the Supreme Court is due to rule in major cases including one that could overturn the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide and another that could expand gun rights.

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