What Supreme Court case ruled segregation in public schools unconstitutional?

The case of Brown v. Board of Education is significant because it marked a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement by declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This landmark decision was delivered by the Supreme Court in 1954, and it effectively overturned the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, which upheld the "separate but equal" doctrine.

In Brown v. Board of Education, the Court unanimously ruled that segregated schools were inherently unequal and, therefore, violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This ruling not only invalidated the legal basis for segregation in public schools but also laid the groundwork for further desegregation efforts across various aspects of society. The decision was instrumental in igniting the civil rights movement, leading to greater demands for equality and the eventual push towards desegregation in all public facilities and services.

Understanding this case is crucial in grasping the historical context of segregation laws and the subsequent fight for civil rights in the United States.