May 17, 1954: The Supreme Court Rules on Brown v. Board of Education On this day in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which says that no state may deny equal protection of the laws to any person within its jurisdiction. Although the decision did not succeed in fully desegregating public education in the United States, it put the Constitution on the side of racial equality and galvanized the nascent civil rights movement into a full revolution.Can you name all the key players behind Brown v. Board of Education? Revisit the landmark case with PBS’ The Supreme Court site. You can also learn more about Brown v. Board of Education with “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow” and explore more events of the Civil Rights Movement with PBS Black Culture Connection. Photo: School integration, Barnard School, Washington, D.C., 1955 (Library of Congress).
Pop-upView Separately

May 17, 1954: The Supreme Court Rules on Brown v. Board of Education

On this day in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which says that no state may deny equal protection of the laws to any person within its jurisdiction.

Although the decision did not succeed in fully desegregating public education in the United States, it put the Constitution on the side of racial equality and galvanized the nascent civil rights movement into a full revolution.

Can you name all the key players behind Brown v. Board of Education? Revisit the landmark case with PBS’ The Supreme Court site.

You can also learn more about Brown v. Board of Education with “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow” and explore more events of the Civil Rights Movement with PBS Black Culture Connection.

Photo: School integration, Barnard School, Washington, D.C., 1955 (Library of Congress).

March 6, 1857: US Supreme Court Rules on the Dred Scott Decision On this day in 1857, in the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, the United States Supreme Court declared that all blacks — slaves as well as well as free — could never become citizens of the United States. The decision would further polarize the nation on the institution of slavery and become a major step toward its ultimate abolishment. Revisit this and other critical moments during America’s arduous journey through slavery in a special collection from PBS. Image: Library of Congress
Pop-upView Separately

March 6, 1857: US Supreme Court Rules on the Dred Scott Decision

On this day in 1857, in the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, the United States Supreme Court declared that all blacks — slaves as well as well as free — could never become citizens of the United States. The decision would further polarize the nation on the institution of slavery and become a major step toward its ultimate abolishment.

Revisit this and other critical moments during America’s arduous journey through slavery in a special collection from PBS.

Image: Library of Congress

September 24, 1789: The Supreme Court Established On this day in 1789, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington. This act established the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal of six justices nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. In Article 3 of the United States Constitution, the Supreme Court is granted ultimate jurisdiction over all laws. Take a look at The Supreme Court timeline that details Supreme Court developments throughout American history.
Pop-upView Separately

September 24, 1789: The Supreme Court Established

On this day in 1789, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington. This act established the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal of six justices nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

In Article 3 of the United States Constitution, the Supreme Court is granted ultimate jurisdiction over all laws.

Take a look at The Supreme Court timeline that details Supreme Court developments throughout American history.

Source: to.pbs.org

September 15, 1981  Sandra Day O’Connor Appointed to Supreme Court On this day in 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor became the first female justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and appointed by Ronald Reagan. O’Connor served as an Associate Justice for 25 years. Check out the PBS NewsHour’s 2007 interview with Sandra Day O’Connor, where she discusses her journey to the bench. Photo: Library of Congress
View Separately

September 15, 1981 

Sandra Day O’Connor Appointed to Supreme Court

On this day in 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor became the first female justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and appointed by Ronald Reagan.

O’Connor served as an Associate Justice for 25 years. Check out the PBS NewsHour’s 2007 interview with Sandra Day O’Connor, where she discusses her journey to the bench.

Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

July 2, 1908 First African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall Born On this day in 1908, American civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall was born.  Marshall became a pillar of the Civil Rights Movement as one of his major victories demolished the legal basis for racial segregation in public schools. The life of Justice Thurgood Marshall is commemorated in a one-man play titled “Thurgood,” written by George Stevens, Jr. and was featured on Broadway in 2008 starring Laurence Fishburne.  Watch Tavis Smiley’s interview with Fishburne about his role in the Broadway play. Photo: Library of Congress
Pop-upView Separately

July 2, 1908

First African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall Born
 
On this day in 1908, American civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall was born.  Marshall became a pillar of the Civil Rights Movement as one of his major victories demolished the legal basis for racial segregation in public schools.
 
The life of Justice Thurgood Marshall is commemorated in a one-man play titled “Thurgood,” written by George Stevens, Jr. and was featured on Broadway in 2008 starring Laurence Fishburne.  

Watch Tavis Smiley’s interview with Fishburne about his role in the Broadway play.

Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

May 17, 1954  Supreme Court Rules Against School Segregation in Brown v. Board of Education On this day in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled against school segregation in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling. Although African Americans first sued (unsuccessfully) to stop mandated racially segregated education in 1849, the successful lawsuits known as Brown v. Board of Education were the culmination of a litigation strategy initiated in the 1930’s. For more information on the this history of segregation, check out our Evolution of Brown vs. Board of Education fact sheet.
View Separately

May 17, 1954 

Supreme Court Rules Against School Segregation in Brown v. Board of Education

On this day in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled against school segregation in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling.

Although African Americans first sued (unsuccessfully) to stop mandated racially segregated education in 1849, the successful lawsuits known as Brown v. Board of Education were the culmination of a litigation strategy initiated in the 1930’s.

For more information on the this history of segregation, check out our Evolution of Brown vs. Board of Education fact sheet.

Source: to.pbs.org

Top