MAY 17, 1954
In Brown v. Board of Education and Bolling v. Sharpe, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the “separate but equal” doctrine in Plessy v. Ferguson was unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment, which guaranteed equal treatment under the law.
The historic decision brought an end to federal tolerance of racial segregation, ruling in the case of student Linda Brown, who was denied admission to her local elementary school in Topeka, Kansas, because of the color of her skin.
In Mississippi, segregationist leaders called the day “Black Monday” and took up the charge of the just-created white Citizens’ Council to preserve racial segregation at all costs.
The post On this day in 1954 appeared first on Mississippi Today.
Latest posts by Mississippi Today (see all)
- 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home in Mississippi - December 20, 2024
- Ex-Capitol Police officer faces federal civil rights charge - December 19, 2024
- Mississippi PERS Board endorses plan decreasing pension benefits for new hires - December 18, 2024