Brown V. Board
May 17, 1954
Issue
The Plessy v. Ferguson decision prohibited African American students from attending white public schools despite the schools being of equal quality. This case was filed after one of the students parents, Oliver Brown, was denied access to a white school. As a result, segregated public schools were deemed unconstitutional.
Decision
The Justices of the Supreme Court noticed that the issue raised, but they were unable to find a solution by june 1953 so they rehear the case to December 1953. Gov. Earl Warren of california took over the case after CHief justice Fred Vinson death, he brought all Justices to agree for declaring segregation in public schools. On May 14,1954, the Court stated that "We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of 'separation but equal' has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal..." the supreme court asked all the attorney of states to segregation in their public schools. On may 31, 1955, desegregation was to proceed with all deliberate speed.
Significance
This case overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision that set the "separate but equal" precedent. It also lead the way for segregation to be ended in other areas if society. Finally, it put the constitution on the side of racial equality.