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.
Mississippi Today is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) news and media company with a forward-facing mission of civic engagement and public dialog through service journalism, live events and digital outreach. Our newsroom is dedicated to providing Mississippians with reporting that inspires active interest in their state and equips them to engage in community life. Mississippi Today’s news stories are republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Latest posts by Mississippi Today (see all)
- Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss sues NCAA to seek extra year of eligibility - January 16, 2026
- Growing up Jewish in Mississippi: Optimism and hope amid the hate - January 16, 2026
- At Jackson prayer service, people of many faiths support Beth Israel after synagogue arson - January 16, 2026