1954-Segregation becomes illegal in the U.S. due to Brown v.Board of Ed
Approximately half a century before, in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that the belief ‘separate but equal’ was just. However, on May 17, 1954, the ‘separate but equal’ belief which was in essence segregation, was ruled to be illegal.
The ruling on May 17, 1954 for segregation to be ‘“inherently unequal’” was largely due to the case of Brown v. Board of Education. The case was started due to a little girl Linda Brown in Topeka, Kansas, not being able to attend a nearby all white-school. Hence, Brown’s family and supporters brought suit against the board of education, and it was later deemed that ‘separate but equal’ was unjust. The case for segregation to be unfair was greatly supported by two educational psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark, who provided evidence that children at a very small age became habituated to dislike colored people due to segregation. Hence, their evidence allowed the Supreme Court to rule an end to the belief of a justified ‘separate but equal’ society.
The significance of the 1954 Segregations Laws ruled to be illegal was greatly due to the Brown v. Board of Ed case. Although segregation was ruled illegal, it took many years afterwards for the Civil Rights Movement to see victory. Nevertheless, the 1954 rulings for segregation to be eliminated was a great stride for the Civil Rights Movement which helped lead to further subsequent successes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTGHLdr-iak
This was the first time, I believe, that a government institution helped subside segregation. This was a crack in the armor of the white supremacists who would not back down against African-American revolts. This case is always referenced whenever a segregation-like case arises.