Plessy v. Ferguson was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court on May 18, 1896.

Quick Scoop

  • The case was argued before the Supreme Court on April 13, 1896.
  • The decision, upholding “separate but equal” racial segregation laws, was issued on May 18, 1896.
  • It remained a cornerstone of legalized segregation until it was overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

In short: when people ask “when was Plessy v. Ferguson,” they are usually referring to the decision date, May 18, 1896.

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