Obama nominates Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court first Latina justice in US history

President Obama nominates federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the Court. She is confirmed by the Senate on August 6, 2009, on a 68-31 vote. During confirmation hearings, her 2001 comment about a "wise Latina" making better decisions than a white man draws controversy. Obama calls her nomination a fulfillment of the American dream.