Sotomayor prepares to make history

WHEN Sonia Sotomayor is sworn in today to the US Supreme Court, she’ll be able to claim two firsts: first Hispanic justice and first high court member to have her oath-taking made available to TV cameras.

Sotomayor, who won a groundbreaking Senate confirmation vote on Thursday over intense conservative opposition, will be sworn in twice by Chief Justice John Roberts.

She will repeat one oath as prescribed by the constitution in a private ceremony at the high court. It will be open only to members of Sotomayor’s family. Then, Roberts will administer a second oath, taken by judges, with the new justice’s family and friends, and reporters present.