Supreme Court Declares Interracial Marriage Legal

June 12th, 1967

June 12th, 1967

Supreme Court Declares Interracial Marriage Legal
How Long Ago?

57 years, 9 months, 3 days ago

Location

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Category

Social Movements & Civil Rights

People
  • Earl Warren
  • Richard Loving
  • Mildred Loving
Links & References
Tags

Supreme Court Declares Interracial Marriage Legal

The Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia, declaring laws prohibiting interracial marriage unconstitutional. Mildred and Richard Loving challenged Virginia's Racial Integrity Act after their marriage was deemed illegal. Their case reached the Supreme Court, which delivered a unanimous decision, emphasizing that such laws violated the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Case challenged Virginia's interracial marriage ban

Unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court justices

Invalidated anti-miscegenation laws in 16 states

Significant step in the civil rights movement

What Happened?

Loving v. Virginia arose when Mildred Jeter, a Black woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, were sentenced to a year in prison for their interracial marriage in Virginia. The Lovings had been residents of Caroline County and married in Washington, D.C., where interracial marriage was legal. Upon returning home, they faced arrest under Virginia's Racial Integrity Act of 1924, which prohibited interracial unions. In response, the couple sought legal assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which took on their case. The case eventually reached the Supreme Court, where the pivotal question was whether state laws banning interracial marriage were constitutional. On June 12, 1967, the Court unanimously ruled in favor of the Lovings. Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered the opinion, stating that the state's anti-miscegenation laws were an infringement on both the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. This landmark decision not only overturned the Lovings' conviction but also invalidated similar laws in 16 states at the time. The ruling was significant in advancing civil rights and affirming the principle of equality under the law.

Why Does it Matter?

The ruling in Loving v. Virginia is a cornerstone moment in the struggle for civil rights in the United States. It struck down all laws banning interracial marriage, effectively affirming that marriage is a fundamental right inherent to personal liberty. The decision set a legal precedent that would influence later Supreme Court cases related to equality and civil rights, highlighting the Court’s role in interpreting the Constitution to reflect changing societal values.

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