Ten Court Cases in American History that Changed Civil Rights for Minorities

Civil Rights Cases of 1883

Dec 31, 1883

These series of cases throughout the year of 1883, ruled that racial discrimination put on by private persons did not keep servitude or the “badge of slavery” on African Americans living in the United States.

Plessy Vs. Ferguson

May 18, 1896

Segregation is declared legal as long as facilities are equal. The "Separate but Equal" idea is put into effect and reinforced”.

The court case is argued in front of the Supreme Court on April 13th, 1896 and decided on May 18th, 1896.

Shelley Vs. Kraemer

May 3, 1948

It is decided a court cannot enforce a restrictive covenant on owning property in the case of minorities because it is unconstitutional.

Sweatt Vs. Painter

Jun 5, 1950

The ruling ended that blacks must be allowed to attend integrated schools in Oklahoma and Texas, paving the way for integration in other states. The case was argued April 4th, 1950 and decided June 5th, of the same year.

Brown Vs. Board of Education of Topeka

May 17, 1954

This case reversed/overturned Plessy Vs. Ferguson's ruling of separate but equal, and said segregation in public schooling was discriminatory, because the educational facilities were not equal. Therefore, segregation creates inequality.

NAACP Vs. Alabama

Jun 30, 1958

This case confirmed that a private group had the right to keep membership information confidential, and that state seizure was unconstitutional, in this case, because of the chance of violent outbreak.
This was important during the civil right's movement because it kept the members of this organization from any potential danger.
It was argued on January 15th, 1958 and decided June 30th, of the same year.

Heart of Atlanta Motel Vs. United States

Dec 14, 1964

Through this casse, racial segregation in private facilities that are part of interstate commerce is seen as unconstitutional.

Loving Vs. Virginia

Jun 12, 1967

Prohibition of interracial marriage is declared unconstitutional.

Regents of the University of Southern California Vs. Bakke

Jun 28, 1978

Affirmative action was decided unfair to applicants if it gave rights to the minority at the cost of the majority resulting in reverse discrimination.
The case was argued on October 12th, 1977 and decided on June 28th, 1978.

Grutter Vs. Bollinger

Jun 23, 2003

This case re-enforced the Regents of Southern California Vs. Bakke case, by agreeing that mechanical, non-individual admissions programs were unconstitutional.