Clarence Thomas is confirmed 52-48 after Anita Hill's sexual harassment hearings

The Senate confirmed Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court on October 15, 1991, by a 52-48 vote, the narrowest margin in modern history. The confirmation process included explosive televised hearings in which law professor Anita Hill testified that Thomas had sexually harassed her when she worked for him at the EEOC. Thomas denied the allegations and called the proceedings a "high-tech lynching." The hearings transformed public discourse about workplace sexual harassment and confirmation battles.